These drugs are banned from pharmacies in Togo

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Extract from the article: The Directorate of Pharmacy, Medicines and Laboratories (DPML) is alerting the Togolese population to the fact that certain medicines have been banned from sale in pharmacies in Togo. This decision was taken in application of the precautionary princi

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The Directorate of Pharmacy, Medicines and Laboratories (DPML) is alerting the Togolese population to the fact that certain medicines have been banned from sale in pharmacies in Togo. This decision was taken in application of the precautionary principle. The products concerned are: Broncalene adult syrup, Broncalene child syrup, Throphires adult syrup, Throphires child syrup, Hexapneumine adult syrup, Hexapneumine child syrup, Dimetane syrup, biocalyptol syrup, Humex cough irritation syrup 0.125g/100ml and Humex cough irritation syrup 0.200g/100ml.

This is a precautionary suspension of Dr Atany Nyansa, Director of the DPML. It follows a decision by France's Agence Nationale de Sécurité du Médicament et des Produits de Santé (ANSM), which, on the basis of a post-authorisation safety study (PASS), is suspending Broncalene Child Syrup and Broncalene Adult Syrup. This follows a finding of an unfavourable benefit/risk balance for the Pholcodine-based specialities. ‘In particular, there is a possible association between exposure to Pholcodine and anaphylactic reactions to curares during surgery", stated the ANSM.

Dr Nyansa, in application of the precautionary principle, invites pharmacists responsible for dispensing the above-mentioned specialities to take steps with stockholders to stop dispensing the specialities concerned and to recall the batches in circulation.Wholesaler-distributors must quarantine stocks of the aforementioned specialities available on national territory.

Jean ELI