Keen to defend its reputation as the “pharmacy of the world”, India has launched a thorough investigation into allegations that 18 Uzbek children have died after consuming cough syrup manufactured by a Noida based company.
In response to a question about Uzbek deaths due to contaminated cough syrup Dok1 Max made by Indian company Marion Biotech based in Noida, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said: “Indian pharmaceutical industry has been a reliable supplier to countries across the world. It continues to be in various forms of medicine and other forms of pharmaceutical products.” Bagchi added that, “We take these incidents very seriously when they come up. Let’s not jump the process.”
Earlier in a statement, the Health Ministry said following instructions from Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has established contact with Uzbekistan’s national drug regulator.
Immediately on receipt of the information, a joint inspection of Marion Biotech’s Noida facility was carried out by UP Drug Control and the CDSCO team. Further action as appropriate would be initiated based on the inspection report. (2/3)
— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (मोदी का परिवार) (@mansukhmandviya) December 29, 2022
Besides, a joint inspection of the Marion Biotech facility was carried out by the UP Drug Control and CDSCO team. Based on the findings, further action as appropriate would be initiated based on the inspection report. The samples of the cough syrup have been taken to Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory (RDTL), Chandigarh for testing.
𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐔𝐳𝐛𝐞𝐤𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧-𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐲𝐫𝐮𝐩 𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫 https://t.co/CwqCbEyEWY pic.twitter.com/syji3nHrQT
— Ministry of Health (@MoHFW_INDIA) December 29, 2022
The health ministry said that Marion Biotech has a licence to manufacture and export Dok1 Max syrup and tablets.
A prepared India is Prepared World says @WHOSEARO India Representative Dr. Roderico Ofrin
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Bagchi, in his response further added that the MEA is extending consular assistance to individuals facing legal action from the Uzbek government.
“We understand that legal action has been initiated by the Uzbek authorities against some people including the local representatives of the company there. In that context, we are extending consular assistance to those individuals,” he observed.
Bagchi pointed out that the Uzbek authorities had not formally taken up the matter with New Delhi. “Nevertheless, our embassy has taken up the case with the Uzbek side and is seeking further details of their own investigation,” he added.
Also Read: Govt launches probe after WHO alert on 4 India-made cough & cold syrups for kids
