Pharma Export Body Suspends Marion Biotech’s Membership Over Failure To Reply On Uzbekistan Syrup Deaths

Marion Biotech registered with Pharmexcil, as a small-scale manufacturer, since 2010 and merchant exporter since 2016.

A view of Marion Biotech pharmaceuticals company

Source : Getty Images

New Delhi: The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) on Friday 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, news agency PTI reported.

According to the 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.

It is to be noted that Marion Biotech came under the scanner after the death of 18 children in Uzbekistan allegedly after consuming its cough syrup. The company is the flagship firm of Emenox group which also has a presence in real estate and hospitals.

"You are further advised to investigate the reasons of the alleged Serious Adverse Events at your end and update us with your findings at the earliest to take necessary further action. Upon failure of submission of requested information by 29th Dec 2022, your Registration cum Membership Certificates (RCMC) will be suspended without any further notice," Pharmexcil had said in its notice to Marion Biotech on December 28.

"Alleged supply of substandard medicines by the company that led to the death of 18 children has brought bad reputation to the Indian pharma industry and also likely to have an impact on the trust of international agencies on Indian pharma exports," the export body further said.

Notably, Marion Biotech registered with Pharmexcil, as a small-scale manufacturer, since 2010 and merchant exporter since 2016.

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

Following inspection by @CDSCO_INDIA_INF team in view of reports of contamination in cough syrup Dok1 Max, all manufacturing activities of Marion Biotech at NOIDA unit have been stopped yesterday night, while further investigation is ongoing.

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) December 30, 2022