The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has launched a probe after the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued an alert against four India-made cough syrups.
In the tests run by WHO on 23 samples, four were found to contain Diethylene Glycol or Ethylene Glycol. (Representative image)
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has launched a probe after the World Health Organisation issued an alert against four India-made cold and cough syrups that have been “potentially linked” with acute kidney injuries and 66 deaths among children in the African country, The Gambia.
According to government sources, CDSCO has taken up the matter and ordered a detailed investigation against the cough and cold syrups produced and exported to The Gambia by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited, which is based in Haryana’s Sonepat, on the basis of available information shared by WHO.
In a statement, the Indian government stated, “The CDSCO, while responding to WHO, within an hour-and-a-half, took up the matter immediately thereafter with the concerned State Regulatory Authority, under whose jurisdiction the drug manufacturing unit is located. Further, a detailed investigation was launched to ascertain the facts or details in the matter in collaboration with State Drugs Controller, Haryana (the concerned State Drug Control Authority).”
According to the primary investigation, it has been made out that M/s Maiden Pharmaceutical Limited was a manufacturer, licensed by the State Drug Controller, for the products under reference, and held manufacturing permission for the products. The company had manufactured and exported these products only to Gambia, the statement reads.
“It is a practice that the importing country tests these products on quality parameters and satisfies itself as to the quality of the products before their release for usage in the country,” it states.
