18 children died
18 children died after taking cough medicine in Uzbekistan In the investigation related to this, it was found out that the cough medicine ‘Doc-1 Max’ manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Marion Biotech in Noida near Delhi, India was bought from the drug stores without doctor’s prescription and given to the children by the parents, and it was found out that the medicine contained the chemical ethylene glycol. In this regard, the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan blamed the Indian pharmaceuticals. Following the controversy, the Drug Quality Control Organization of India immediately launched an investigation. Officials of the organization visited Marion Biotech Pharmaceuticals in Noida and conducted the inspection.
Cessation of production activities
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, “Following an investigation by the Indian Drug Quality Control Board, all production operations of Marion Biotech in Noida were stopped last night based on the complaint of contamination of the cough medicine Doc 1 Maxil. Further investigation is underway in this regard. Further action will be taken against the pharmaceutical company,” he said.
Similarly, the Union Ministry of External Affairs has said that India is in touch with the Uzbekistani authorities and has sought the details of their investigation into the matter.
Meanwhile, an Uttar Pradesh government official said that Marion Biotech does not sell the drug ‘Doc-1 Max’ in India and only exports it to Uzbekistan.