7 Sep 2009
A spokesman for the Department of Health (DH) today (September 7) called on parents who had taken their children to Maternal and Child Health Centres (MCHC) yesterday (September 6) for catch-up vaccination of Pneumococal Conjugate Vaccine to pay special attention to syrup panadol dispensed to their children. Panadol is a common type of drug to reduce fever.
Some 4,500 children attended 29 MCHC yesterday.
The appeal was made following discovery that some of the children were given syrup panadol with incorrect dosage labeling with respect to their age.
The preparation and concentration of syrup panadol is the same in all bottles. The bottles come in two labels. For children aged under one, the label prescribes half teaspoonful (2.5ml, 62.5mg) up to four times a day. For children above one year of age, the label prescribes one teaspoonful (5ml, 125mg) up to four times a day. Children need not have to take panadol if they have no fever.
Preliminary information revealed that some children received syrup panadol with incorrect dosage labeling with respect to their age.
"The department had so far contacted about 300 parents. Six of them reported having been given syrup panadol with incorrect dosage labeling. No case of adverse drug effect was reported.
"We will continue to contact the remaining parents to ascertain how many of them were affected," he said.
The spokesman stressed that according to dosage calculation, no adverse health effects are expected even for children under one taking the preparation intended for those above one year of age.
He said the department was very concerned about the incident and apologized to affected parents. The department is investigating the causes of the incident.
"To prevent recurrence of similar incidents, the department is working with the Auxiliary Medical Services to implement rectifying measures, one of which is to have designated staff dispensing syrup panadol.
"Syrup panadol with the two different labels will be separately kept and differences highlighted to prevent mix-up.
"Specific instructions on dispensing will be reinforced every Sunday before the clinic opens for vaccination," he said.
Parents are welcome to dial the hotline 2125 2125 for advice. The hotline will operate from 7am to 11pm. Parents may also approach MCHCs for advice.