This Monday, July 17, opens in Gambia a trial which must be a landmark. Twenty families of children who died in 2022 after taking adulterated medicine are suing the Ministry of Health and the Gambia Medicines Regulatory Authority. This is the first time that a collective complaint has attacked the authorities at such a high level. According to WHO, more than 70 children have died of kidney failure, linked to taking a drug produced by the Indian laboratory Maiden pharmaceuticals.
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It’s a simple cough syrup that has taken its toll in The Gambia last year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), this drug was contaminated with diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, two toxic components found in industrial solvents. A classic process, according to pharmacy professionals, for adulterating drugs.
The families of victims who are civil parties therefore accuse the Gambian Ministry of Health, as well as the drug regulatory agency, of having failed in their duty of surveillance. They blame their inability to provide medicines that meet health standards.
In a press release published in June, the Ministry of Health assured that it had taken action. An investigation into this incident has been opened. The Indian laboratory Maiden, meanwhile, spoke out to deny any responsibility for the tampering of the drug.
The trial opens Monday with the hearing of the families of victims. They are claiming $250,000 in damages for each child who died. The trial will then be suspended for 30 days to allow the defense to prepare its response.