After Gambia, now Uzbekistan alleges Indian cough syrup killed its children

NT Correspondent

New Delhi: On Tuesday, the Uzbekistan health ministry claimed that 18 children in the country have died due to side effects of a cough syrup produced by an Indian pharmaceutical firm. In a statement, the ministry said that children who have succumbed had consumed the Dok 1 Max Syrup, produced by Noida-based Marion Biotech Limited.

The Dok 1 Max syrup and tablets are anti-cold medications. “Since the main component of the drug is paracetamol, Dok 1 Max Syrup was incorrectly used by parents as an anti-cold remedy on their own or on the recommendation of pharmacy sellers,” the statement said.

“And this was the reason for the deterioration of the condition of patients.” The statement also said that preliminary investigations show that the cough syrup contains ethylene glycol, which is a toxic substance. Even traces of ethylene glycol are not permitted to be used in the making of syrups, and ethylene glycol is found in industrial grade of glycerine.

For medical purposes, Indian Pharmacopoeia or Glycerine IP must be used to manufacture the syrup. Ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol are known to cause convulsions, vomiting and affect the circulatory system and even cause acute renal failure.

The Uzbekistan health ministry said in a statement that the children who died, took 2.5 millilitres to 5 millilitres of the cough syrup at home three to four times a day, which was higher than the standard dose of the drug. After the deaths, tablets and cough syrups of Dok 1 have been withdrawn from sale in all pharmacies of the country, the statement added.

The same pharmaceutical company also exports drugs to the United Kingdom, Georgia, Nigeria, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Kenya, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos and Vietnam.

A handful of specialists are facing disciplinary action due to negligence, and over seven employees have been dismissed for not analysing the child mortality in time, further failing to take appropriate measures.