Officials said three Indian states have banned the syrup of cough, as at least nine children allegedly died after consuming it.
The Indian Health Ministry said in a statement that the samples of Colddrif Cuff Syrup made by Srisan Pharma were tested in Tamil Nadu, which included Dythylene Glycol (DEG).
DEG is an industrial solvent and is very toxic if even small amounts are ingested.
“Samples have DEG beyond permissible limits,” the ministry’s statement said.
Central Indian state Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said, “The sale of this syrup has been banned throughout Madhya Pradesh.”
Yadav said that the sale of other products of Srisan Pharma is banned.
According to local media, Tamil Nadu and Kerala have banned sale.
Meanwhile, according to Hindu The southern state of Telangana issued a public warning about Colddrif Cuff Syrup.
Under India’s pharmaceutical industry investigation
The incident has renewed the investigation of India’s pharmaceutical industry.
In 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) added the phlegm syrup created by another Indian company with the death of 70 children in Gambia.
New Delhi disputed the findings of WHO.
A year later, WHO again warned against two cough drugs made in India, as Uzbekistan linked the syrup with at least 18 children.
This was the fifth global warning against drugs manufactured by India over a period of 10 months. This was after drugs taken after contaminated drugs with toxins in Iraq.
India’s strong generic drug industry
India provides 20% of the world’s 20% supply of generic drugs in May, according to a statement by a Press Information Bureau (PIB).
These are cheap versions of drugs produced once the patent ends.
The agency of the Government of India said that its pharmaceutical industry is third in the world.
In 2011, a study published by Indian pharmacology journal It was found that generic drugs were five to six times cheaper than their branded counterparts, but there was no significant difference in quality.
Even US President Donald Trump’s tariff on India’s pharmaceutical industry excluded generic drug manufacturers.
Edited by: Wesley Dakri