Health authorities in Nigeria have notified the population on the discovery of a fake brand of paracetamol syrup, which could cause kidney failure and death in children. The discovery was announced in a statement issued by ministry of health of the government of Lagos state, in the country’s South-west region. The statement said that the ministry is collaborating with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to investigate the discovery. The particular brand of paracetamol was not identified, but the Lagos state Commissioner for Health, Dr Jide Idris, NAFDAC has advised members of the public to avoid the use of any brand of paracetamol syrup, pending the outcome of the NAFDAC investigation. He also advised all health institutions to be on the alert and increase their vigilance on cases of children brought to their hospitals with signs of kidney failure. Last year, dozens of children died across the country after taking a fake brand of paracetamol syrup, called ‘My Pikin’. The syrup was subsequently banned and the firm, based in Lagos, shut down pending the outcome of investigations by NAFDAC
