DILI, 13 november 2022 (TATOLI) – The Ministry of Health (MoH) has banned the sale and distribution of Paracetamol Drops, Strawberry Paracetamol, Unibebi Paracetamol, Doen Antacids, and multivitamin syrups.
The ban on the syrups came after the Indonesian Food and Drug Control Agency (Badan Pengawas Obat da Makanan- BPOM) banned the sale and distribution of these syrups earlier this month.
The National Director of the Timor-Leste Medical and Pharmaceutical Agency (SAMES), Delfim Ferreira, revealed that MoH has already identified two pharmaceutical companies – Istana and Foho Osan Mean pharmacy that imported the syrups into the country.
“We have already formed a team to carry out an operation to seize all the banned syrups,” Ferreira said in Caicoli, Dili.
Ferreira urged the entire population not to buy or consume the banned syrups, as they may cause harmful effects.
This is not the first time the Ministry of Health has banned the sale and distribution of drugs. The MoH did so recently with cough syrups Termorex and Unibebi, after Indonesian authorities announced the suspension of sales of these syrups for causing the death of 100 children from acute kidney failure this year.
WHO had also issued a warning about four types of cough and cold syrups produced in India that caused the death of 70 children from acute kidney failure. The Indian authorities have shut down the pharmaceuticals factory in New Delhi where these drugs were produced.
The Health Ministry has planned to destroy the seized syrups at the Tibar dumpsite next month.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
