Indian maker of cough syrup linked to Uzbekistan deaths halts production, facility inspected
- Uzbekistan’s health ministry said that at least 18 children in the country died after consuming the syrup manufactured by Marion Biotech
- The Indian maker of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics said it regretted the deaths and the company has halted production of the Dok-1 Max syrup
India’s drug regulator said on Thursday that it had inspected Marion Biotech’s production facility and promised more action based on the probe report after the company’s cough syrup was linked to death of 18 children in Uzbekistan.
A legal representative of Marion Biotech said the Indian maker of pharmaceuticals and cosmetics regretted the deaths and the company has halted production of the Dok-1 Max syrup.
The drug regulator reviewed the company’s Noida facility in the Uttar Pradesh state and is in regular touch with its Uzbekistan counterpart, the Indian health ministry said in a statement.
“The samples of the cough syrup have been taken from the manufacturing premises and sent to Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory, Chandigarh for testing,” the ministry said.
Uzbekistan’s health ministry said on Wednesday that at least 18 children in the country died after consuming the syrup, manufactured by the Indian drug maker.
The syrup contained a toxic substance, ethylene glycol, and was administered in doses higher than the standard dose for children either by their parents, who mistook it for an anti-cold remedy, or on the advice of pharmacists, the Uzbekistan ministry said.