The Indian health minister has confirmed that the cough syrup maker that led to the death of 18 people in Uzbekistan has halted production.
According to a report by Uzbekistan’s health Ministry, the Doc-1 cough syrup manufactured by India’s pharmaceutical company Marion Biotech contained a toxic substance, ethylene glycol.
Ethylene glycol is commonly found in anti-freeze used in motor vehicles. If ingested, it can damage the brain, lungs, liver, and kidneys, and can lead to death.
The Indian Health Minister via twitter further stated that said they were in contact with the national drug regulator of Uzbekistan following up on the contaminated cough syrup.
“Regarding reports from Uzbekistan concerning contaminated cough syrup made by Indian company Marion Biotech, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, the @CDSCO_INDIA_INF is in regular contact with the national drug regulator of Uzbekistan since 27th December.” Read part one of a tweet by the Indian health minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
Mandaviya further tweeted that all Marion Biotech’s manufacturing activities at their headquarters in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh had been stopped as of Thursday evening.
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“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.” Read part two of a tweet by the Indian health minister Mansukh Mandaviya.
The Uzbek health ministry said in its statement that the deceased children had taken 2.5-5ml of the drug at home for 2-7 days, which exceeds the standard dose of the drug for children, prior to being admitted to the hospital.
It is yet to be known the number of children who consumed the said cough syrup as investigations continue.
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