WHO Advises Not To Use Two Indian Cough Syrups Linked With Deaths Of 19 Children In Uzbekistan

According to the report, analysis by Uzbekistan’s health ministry showed the cough syrups contained a toxic substance, ethylene glycol. 

WHO advises against the use of two Indian cough syrups

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The World Health Organisation has advised not to use two cough syrups made by India’s Marion Biotech for children. The UN body made the statement on Wednesday after the products were found to linked to 19 deaths in Uzbekistan, reported Reuters. 

According to the report, analysis by Uzbekistan’s health ministry showed the syrups, Ambronol and DOK-1 Max, contained a toxic substance, ethylene glycol. 

The syrups were administered in higher doses than the standard for children, either by their parents, who mistook it for an anti-cold remedy or on the advice of pharmacists, the analysis report said.

According to Reuters, shortly after the series of deaths were reported in Uzbekistan, the Indian health ministry suspended production of the cough syrup at the company. Uttar Pradesh reportedly suspended Marion’s production license.

Marion Biotech has so far not provided guarantees to WHO on the safety and quality of these products, the agency said.

Last week, the Uzbekistan state security service arrested four people in an investigation into the cough-syrup-related deaths of 19 children.

The Uzbekistan deaths were reported after the deaths of at least 70 children in Gambia made headlines. A parliamentary committee had linked to cough and cold syrups manufactured by India-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals. The company denied any wrongdoing and Indian government inspectors found no contamination in test samples, reported Reuters.

India's Action On Pharmaceutical Company

The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) earlier suspended the membership of Noida-based Marion Biotech after the company failed to reply on the report of children's death allegedly caused by their cough syrups in Uzbekistan.

According to a PTI report, the drug maker will lose some incentives if its membership is suspended.

"The incentives offered by the DoC (Department of Commerce) through Pharmexcil will not be extended until the suspension is revoked," PTI sources said.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya earlier said the manufacturing activities of the company have been stopped in view of reports of contamination of syrups.