The Minister of public health, Dr. Manaouda Malachie has blamed the presence of Naturcold, a cold syrup in Cameroon on the illicit trafficking of fake drugs. In a release signed on April 19, the health minister said the importation and sale of the syrup has not been authorised in Cameroon. He also reassured that measures have been taken to prevent its circulation.
Naturcold was recently suspected to have caused the death of 6 children in the Fundong Health District, North West region.
The North West Regional Delegate for Public Health, Dr. Kingsley Che Soh stated in a release that, “These children who were all brought in from out of the North West Region to seek proper medical care, presented with decreased kidney function after having consumed a suspected substandard cough syrup named “NATURCOLD” supposed to be have been manufactured by FRAKEN.”
Dr. Manaouda Malachie has called on health experts and the population to be vigilant and to denounce those facilitating the penetration of the product into the country.
Illegal circulation of drugs remains a huge challenge in Cameroon. It is not uncommon to also see medication sold by roadsides and in unsanctioned makeshift structures.