Indian Pharma Company's Cough Syrups Tied to 19 Child Deaths in Uzbekistan:Dark Global Alert

An Indian pharmaceutical company, Marion Biotech, has been implicated in a tragic incident where its cough syrups were linked to the deaths of 19 children in Uzbekistan due to poisoning.

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Dok-1 Max and Ambronol, cough syrups manufactured by Marion Biotech, were the subject of a global medical alert issued by the World Health Organization (WHO).

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The Indian government has launched an investigation into Marion Biotech and suspended its license following the WHO alert.

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The syrups contained toxic industrial-grade PG, which is commonly used in various non-pharmaceutical products.

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The Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil) suspended Marion Biotech's registration certificate after the company failed to provide requested information about the toxic cough syrup.

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The incident raises concerns about the quality of drugs exported from India, as the country is the largest exporter of generic drugs worldwide.

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The WHO flagged several India-made syrups linked to hundreds of deaths globally, further damaging the reputation of the Indian pharmaceutical industry and the trust of international agencies in Indian pharma exports.

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Uzbekistan, the 44th largest export destination for India, holds significant importance in the CIS region for pharmaceutical items.

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Marion Biotech allegedly used industrial-grade ingredients in its cough syrups, including propylene glycol (PG) purchased from Maya Chemtech India, a trader known for selling industrial-grade materials.

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