India initiates probe after Uzbekistan reports death due to Indian company made cough syrup

Tags: National

Indian health authorities have initiated a probe of the Marion Biotech’s Noida facility after the Uzbekistan Health Ministry claimed that at least 18 children have died after consuming cough syrup Doc-1 Max - manufactured by Marion Biotech

According to the Uzbekistan's health ministry, the laboratory tests of a batch of syrups found "the presence of ethylene glycol", a toxic substance. 

The manufacturing of the cough syrup has been halted until the samples are tested. The samples of the cough syrup have been taken from the manufacturing premises and sent to Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory (RDTL), Chandigarh for testing.

A joint inquiry is being conducted by the teams of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO - north zone) and Uttar Pradesh Drugs Controlling and Licensing Authority. 

Biotech is a licensed manufacturer and holds license for manufacturing of Dok1 Max syrup and Tablet for export purposes granted by Drugs Controller, Uttar Pradesh.

This is the second time in a year that India-manufactured cough syrups have come under the scanner. Earlier this year, deaths of 70 children in Gambia were linked to cough syrups manufactured by Haryana-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals. 

Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) under the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is responsible for approval of Drugs, Conduct of Clinical Trials, laying down the standards for Drugs, control over the quality of imported Drugs in the country

Drugs Controller General of India: Venugopal Girdharilal Somani

Republic of Uzbekistan 

It is a Central Asian country which was once part of the Soviet Union 

Uzbekistan declared its independence from the Soviet Union on August 31, 1991. 

Capital: Tashkent

President: Shavkat Mirziyoyev

Currency: Som