Uzabekistan claims 18 children died because of Indian cough syrup
According to Uzbekistan, least 18 children in the country have died as a result of allegedly consuming cough syrup made in India.
In a statement, the Uzbek health ministry revealed that the children who died had taken the cough medicine Doc-1 Max, which is manufactured by Noida-based Marion Biotech.
India has opened an investigation into the claims.
The presence of ethylene glycol, a toxic substance, was discovered in a batch of syrups during laboratory testing, the ministry reported.
Additionally, it claimed that without a doctor’s prescription, either by the children’s parents or on the advice of pharmacists, the syrup was administered to kids at home in doses that were higher than those recommended for kids.
According to the ministry, it was discovered that the kids had been taking this syrup in excess of the recommended dose for 2 to 7 days at home, in doses of 2.5 to 5 ml three to four times per day, before being admitted to the hospital.
According to the statement, Doc-1 Max tablets and syrups have been removed from sale in all pharmacies across the nation following the deaths of 18 children, and seven employees have been let go for failing to act quickly enough to analyse the situation and take appropriate action.
It is known that teams from the Uttar Pradesh Drugs Controlling and Licensing Authority and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO – north zone) are working together to conduct an investigation.