Haryana Govt Stops Production Of Maiden Pharma Cough Syrup After WHO Alert

The decision comes after the product alert issued for cough syrup of Maiden Pharma Ltd by the World Health Organisation.

New Delhi:  Haryana Government on Wednesday stopped the total production of Maiden Pharma cough syrups after 12 flaws were found during a joint investigation by Central and Haryana drug departments.

The decision comes after the product alert issued for cough syrup of Maiden Pharma Ltd by the World Health Organisation. “Central and Haryana drug departments conducted a joint inspection. Around 12 flaws were found, keeping which in mind, it's been decided that total production shall be stopped; notice given,” Haryana Health Min Anil Vij told ANI.

Last week, the WHO issued a medical product alert on four cough and cold syrups made by India's Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited saying that these "substandard" products are unsafe, especially in children, and may result in serious injury or death.

WHO report claimed that to date these four products have been identified in The Gambia, but may have been distributed, through informal markets, to other countries or regions. It was conducting further investigation with the company and regulatory authorities in India. 

"Laboratory analysis of samples of each of the four products confirms that they contain unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants," ANI reported citing the WHO report.

Citing risks, it said that Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal. "Toxic effects can include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury which may lead to death," it noted.

All batches of these products should be considered unsafe until they can be analyzed by the relevant National Regulatory Authorities, WHO warned and added that the substandard products referenced in the alert are unsafe and their use, especially in children, may result in serious injury or death.

WHO also stated that it is important to detect and remove these substandard products from circulation to prevent harm to patients. WHO requested increased surveillance and diligence within the supply chains of countries and regions likely to be affected by these products. 

(With ANI Inputs)