In a tweet, World Health Organisation (WHO) claimed that India-made cough syrup causes the death of around 66 children in the Gambia, a country in Africa. It has also issued a medical product alert on four cough and cold syrups made by an Indian company, Maiden Pharmaceuticals, based in Haryana. The WHO has said that the usage of these four cough syrups has potentially caused acute kidney injuries and 66 deaths among children.
The four cough and cold syrups are Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup.
India investigating deaths in Gambia
After the WHO’s alert, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has taken this matter under urgent investigation and ordered a probe.
“Urgent investigation in the matter has been already taken up by CDSCO with the State Regulatory Authorities immediately after receiving communication from WHO based on the available information,” According to sources.
Should we Indians worry about our children?
Ministry of Health Affairs has clarified that the said drugs are not sold in India. Also, Indian officials are taking extra care for the protection of innocent children.
In a press release, the ministry said that the drugs- Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup, and Magrip N Cold Syrup were manufactured only for export and not licensed for sale in India. The concerned drug have been exported only to Gambia.
What are the repercussions of this news on the Indian pharmaceutical industry?
India is known as the pharmacy of the world. Medicines manufactured in India are sold in North America, particularly in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The African continent is the second-largest destination for Indian medicines. The European Union is the third-largest market for India-made drugs. Such news has the potential to destroy the hard-earned reputation. This will not only create susceptibility to Indian-made medicines, but can also harm India’s soft power.
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