The pack of drugs containing hair growth stimulants has caused 20 children to suddenly develop werep syndrome when their hair grew all over their bodies.
Pharmacists have confused children with drugs containing minoxidil. This solution is used to treat hair loss, instead of omeprazol (a drug for treating reflux).
The parents of the children have accused the Spanish Food and Health Agency of not responding quickly and providing full information. Several families in Cantabria have filed a lawsuit against the pharmaceutical company Farma-Quimica Sur SL (headquartered in Malaga).
The Spanish Food and Health Administration in July requested a recall of some of the drug shipments of the pharmaceutical company after receiving information about the unusual wereological syndrome in May. However, it took them 2 months to realize the mistake of labeling the medicine incorrectly and recall the medicine.
"Why does it take two months to test a drug," Amaia, a mother whose child was affected, asked Spanish TV station Antena 3. "We have not been informed of anything. I was very angry, scared, and could not sympathize with this scandal" - she said.
Amaia said that her daughter was prescribed high doses and that no one advised her on what to do next.
Medical experts say that after stopping the drug, the phenomenon of hair growth all over the body will disappear, but organs are likely to be damaged by this drug.
It is known that the incorrectly labelled syrup has been transferred to pharmaceutical companies in Granada, Cantabria and Valencia, where pharmacists mix it into a drug formula to treat reflux in children.
Authorities believe that the shipment of toxic drugs may have affected more than 30 pharmacies and 50 shipments. Farma-Quimica Sur has a suspended license and cannot produce, import or distribute the drug.
