- Wednesday, March 05, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
In the middle of the controversy over the deaths of 70 children in The Gambia allegedly linked with consumption of cough syrup made in India, Uzbekistan has said that at least 18 kids in the country have passed away after allegedly taking a cough syrup made in India.
The Central Asian country’s health ministry said in a statement that the children who died had consumed cough syrup Doc-1 Max, made by Marion Biotech based in Noida in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.
It has been reported that the Indian authorities began an investigation into the matter and the syrup’s manufacturing has been stopped until the samples are examined.
Indian health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said the samples have been sent for testing to Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory in Chandigarh and that the government would “initiate further action based on the inspection report”, NDTV reported.
Mandaviya also said the Narendra Modi government is in touch with Uzbekistan over the matter since Tuesday (27).
The Uzbekistani health ministry claimed that laboratory tests of a batch of syrups found “the presence of ethylene glycol”, a toxic substance.
It also said that the syrup was given to children at home without a medical expert’s prescription, either by their parents or on the advice of pharmacists and the doses exceeded the standard meant for children.
It was found that before getting hospitalised, the victims took the syrup at home for 2-7 days — in doses of 2.5 to 5 millilitres three to four times a day — exceeding the standard dose — the ministry said.
The syrup was used by the minors’ parents as an anti-cold medicine.
A joint inquiry is being held by the teams of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO – north zone) and Uttar Pradesh Drugs Controlling and Licensing Authority, the NDTV report added.
A casualty assessment report has also been sought from the Central Asian nation.
Marion Biotech said samples of the cough syrup have been taken from its manufacturing unit and that they are now waiting for the report of the tests.
“The government is conducting an inquiry. We will take action as per their report, for now, the manufacturing has stopped,” said Hasan Raza, the company’s legal head.
Earlier this year, the deaths of the children in The Gambia were linked to cough syrups manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceuticals based in the northern state of Haryana.
The World Health Organisation had earlier said that laboratory analysis of Maiden cough syrup had confirmed the presence of “unacceptable” amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which can be toxic and lead to acute kidney injury.
