The Maldives Food and Drug Authority (MFDA) has issued a public warning following an alert from the South East Asia Region Network (SIAN) about cough medicines produced by three Indian companies containing diethyl glycol (DEG), a toxic substance.
The MFDA clarified that the three companies named in the alert are **not authorized to import medicines** into the Maldives, and none of their products have entered the country through official import channels.
However, the authority cautioned the public to exercise care when bringing medicines from India for personal medical use, noting that many Maldivians travel there for healthcare services.
To ensure the safety of medicines imported into the Maldives—especially those used to treat children—the MFDA has strengthened its monitoring procedures. This includes requiring laboratory test reports confirming that cough and flu medicines are free from DEG and ethylene glycol (EG).
For further information, the MFDA has advised the public to contact its Medicine and Therapeutic Goods Division via hotline number 7200321.