Dangerous chemicals found in two painkillers

Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has cautioned the public after two dangerous chemicals were found in two painkillers.

MFDA, in a statement on Tuesday, said the dangerous chemicals – diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol – were found in Mefnac Suspension 50mg (Mefenamic Acid) manufactured by Pakistan's Efroze Chemical Private Limited and Axcel Mefenamic Acid Suspension 125mg (Mefenamic Acid) manufactured by Malaysia's Kotra Pharma.

Thus, MFDA has temporarily banned the import and sale of the two medications in the Maldives, citing the Authority was undertaking efforts send samples abroad to conduct confirmatory tests.

The Authority has instructed pharmacies that presently have stock of the medication to separate them from other products.

MFDA affirmed its commitment to ensure medications available in the Maldives are high quality and safe for consumption.

In this trajectory, the Authority said they regularly take samples of medications available in the market for screening.