Gambian lawmakers have called for compensation for the families of 70 children who died from acute kidney injury linked to contaminated cough syrups imported from India.

The special legislative session was held on on Wednesday (26 Oct.) to discuss parliament’s response to the tragedy.

“If we find out that the deaths are tied to the contaminated drugs, Gambia must sue,” said Modou Lamin B. Bah, vice chair of the Select Committee on Health.

Alhagie S. Darbo, Assembly Minority Leader, said the government’s investigation should also cover “the culpability of the suspected importers and pharmacies linked to contaminated drugs.”

 “As we move out of this house, let us remember to control whatever enters this country. Whatever our people are to consume, let us control it. Let people be responsible for their actions,” said Bakary Badjie, MP for Foni Bintang, urged 

Health Minister Dr. Ahmadou Lamin Samateh told lawmakers that the drug importer linked to the medicines flagged by the the WHO already has been suspended.

 More than 42,000 cough syrup bottles have been collected out of the 50,000 that initially were imported to Gambia by the company, he added. 

Lawmakers later adopted a motion saying that the government enquiry should further review the laws and regulations governing drug importation and licensing. 

Earlier this month, the WHO issued a global health alert about four cough and cold syrups produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited in India. 

The syrups are Promethazine Oral Solution BP, Kofexnalin Baby Cough Syrup, MaKoff Baby Cough Syrup and MaGrip n Cold Syrup 

The WHO warned that their use may result in serious injury or death, especially among children.

Their intervention came after medical authorities in The Gambia detected an increase in cases of acute kidney injury among children under the age of five in late July.