‘In touch with Uzbekistan since Dec 27’: Health minister in Centre's first response on children's deaths

The samples of the India-made Doc-1 Max cough syrup have been sent to the Chandigarh-based Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory, said Mansukh Mandaviya.

Published on: Dec 29, 2022, 14:05:07 IST

By HT News Desk, New Delhi

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The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has been in touch with Uzbekistan's national drugs regulator since December 27, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Thursday, in what is the central government's first statement on the deaths of children in Uzbekistan after being given Doc-1 Max, a cough syrup made by Marion Biotech, an Indian manufacturer.

File photo of Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare Mansukh Mandaviya (PTI)

Also Read | 18 kids’ deaths in Uzbekistan linked to cough syrup made in Noida, probe on

The samples of the cough syrup have been sent to the Chandigarh-based Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory, said Mandaviya.

“Regarding reports from Uzbekistan concerning contaminated cough syrup made by Indian biotech company, Marion Biotech, Noida, Uttar Pradesh, the @CDSCO_INDIA_INF is in regular contact with the national drug regulator of Uzbekistan since 27th December,” tweeted the health minister.

The minister added that immediately after the information was received, a team each from the CDSCO and UP Drug Control carried out a joint inspection of Marion Biotech's Noida facility, where the drug is made. Further action, he said, will be taken after the Centre receives the inspection report.

Also Read | Indian cough syrup: Congress links Gambia with Uzbekistan; Modi hatred, says BJP

Mandaviya's response came after State Security Service (SSS) of the central Asian nation said in a statement as many as eighteen kids died as a result of taking Doc-1 Max. The SSS also said a criminal probe has been initiated in the matter.

According to local media reports, ethylene glycol, a chemical, was found in the syrup during lab tests.

Meanwhile, the firm has halted the production of the syrup, pending probe.

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