Uzbekistan Claims 18 Children Died After Consuming Cough Syrup Made In India

New Delhi: An Indian pharma company now finds itself in the eye of a storm as Uzbekistan claimed that 18 children have died in the country after consuming medicines manufactured by Noida-based Marion Biotech.

As per reports on a local Uzbek news website, the government said that 21 kids were hospitalised with acute respiratory diseases – a side-effect of consuming the cough syrup Dok-One Max, which Marion Biotech allegedly manufactures. 18 of these children have since died.

Uzbek health ministry claimed that the primary laboratory studies have shown the presence of ethylene glycol in the syrup. It is the same chemical that is a common contaminant in pharma products made without adequate safeguards.

India on Tuesday launched an inquiry into a Noida-based drugs manufacturer after the deaths of 18 children in Uzbekistan were linked to the firm. A criminal probe has also been initiated by the State Security Service of the Central Asian nation.