India defends its pharma power after 18 Uzbek children die

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.

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.

The health ministry said that Marion Biotech has a licence to manufacture and export Dok1 Max syrup and tablets.

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.

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