Children in Spain grow body hair from alleged drug mix-up

Parents in Spain whose babies and toddlers developed abrmal body hair plan to sue a company that put a hair loss treatment into containers meant for a medicine, a mor of one of children said on August 31.

Spanish health authorities have blamed packaging mix-up involving topical treatment Mixidil and omeprazole syrup, which is used for stomach problems, on Farma-Qumica Sur.

At least 20 children, ranging from newborns to 2-year-olds, have been affected, Spain's Health Ministry has said.

mislabeled medicine was recalled in July and company was closed down until an investigation into error is completed.

mor of one of children, a 10-month old baby told Associated Press that families were preparing to file a joint lawsuit against Farma-Qumica Sur.

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Angela Martnez said family doctor prescribed omeprazole syrup in January to treat her son Uriel's acidy stomach. baby began growing darker hair in March, about a month after she gave him syrup, she said.

By early April, Uriel had hair covering almost all his body except for abdomen and parts of his hands and feet. She questioned why first concerns were reported in April but authorities didn't recall medicine until July.

"Had he t grown hair, we would have probably continued to give him syrup," said Martnez.

AP spoke to at least two or families in sourn Spain who were to take legal action.

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Spanish Health Minister Mara Luisa Carcedo said Wednesday that all mislabeled batches had been removed from market.

Although some of babies are already losing excess hair and experts have said all of it should fall out eventually, some families also were warned of possible long-term side effects.

Spain's drug ncy, AEMPS, says Mixidil's ability to widen blood vessels could impact children's hearts, kidneys and livers in future.

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