Indian authorities have initiated legal proceedings against a producer of cough syrup whose product was discovered to contain hazardous levels of a harmful substance, following the deaths of ten children believed to have ingested tainted medicine. India, known as the “pharmacy of the world,” has been under scrutiny for the quality of its pharmaceutical exports, particularly its cough syrups which have been associated with child fatalities in Cameroon, Gambia, and Uzbekistan in recent years.
After the deaths in the state of Madhya Pradesh, a sample of the syrup named ‘Coldrif’, one of 19 medicines examined, was found to have diethylene glycol levels surpassing permitted thresholds, as stated by the health ministry on Sunday. Legal action has been taken against the manufacturer, Sresan Pharma, located in Tamil Nadu, along with a physician who prescribed the medication to some of the deceased children.
Rajendra Shukla, the deputy chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, mentioned that the doctor who issued the prescription has been detained, and a criminal case has been filed against the factory. The company is facing allegations of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, drug adulteration, and breaching the Drugs and Cosmetics Act by manufacturing, selling, or distributing cosmetics.
The ministry reported that regulatory measures have been enforced against a division of the company, although specifics were not disclosed, and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has recommended revoking its manufacturing permit. Sresan Pharma did not provide an immediate response to a request for comment from Reuters.
According to India’s drug regulator, the country supplies 40% of generic medicines consumed in the United States, a quarter of those used in the United Kingdom, and over 90% of medications in various African nations.