Uzbekistan has claimed that at least 18 children in the country have died after allegedly taking cough syrup manufactured in India. In a statement, the health ministry of Uzbekistan, said that the children who died had consumed cough syrup Doc-1 Max, manufactured by Noida-based Marion Biotech.
India has opened an investigation into the matter, and production of the cough syrup has been halted until samples are tested.
According to Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, the samples have been transferred to the Regional Drug Testing Laboratory in Chandigarh for testing. He further stated that the government would "initiate additional action depending on the inspection findings."
As per the Uzbekistan's health ministry report, laboratory tests of a batch of syrups found "the presence of ethylene glycol," a toxic substance.
Additionally, it claimed that the syrup was given to children at home without a doctor's prescription, either by their parents or on the advice of pharmacists, with doses that exceeded the standard dose for children.
The ministry said that they found that the children, before being hospitalised, took this syrup at home for 2–7 days, in doses of 2.5–5 ml three to four times a day, which exceeds the standard dose.
After the deaths of 18 children, Doc-1 Max tablets and syrups have been withdrawn from all pharmacies in the country, the statement said, adding that seven employees were sacked because they failed to analyse the situation in time and take steps.
According to local media reports, the chemical ethylene glycol was found in the syrup during lab tests. The same chemical, which is a common contaminant in pharma products made without adequate safeguards, is why another Indian company, Haryana-based Maiden Pharma, is under investigation which is linked in 70 deaths in Gambia.