The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has launched an investigation after the World Health Organization issued a warning regarding four Indian-made cold and cough medications that have been “potentially linked” to acute kidney injuries and 66 child fatalities in The Gambia, an African country.
According to reports, CDSCO has taken up the matter and ordered a thorough investigation into the cough and cold syrups produced and exported to The Gambia by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited, which is based in Sonepat, Haryana, on the basis of the information made available and shared by WHO.
THE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA SAID
In response to the WHO, the Indian government issued a statement that said, “The CDSCO, while responding to WHO, took the matter up right away with the concerned State Regulatory Authority, under whose jurisdiction the drug manufacturing unit is located. In order to ascertain the facts or specifics in the case, I also jointly launched a thorough investigation with the State Drugs Controller, Haryana (the relevant State Drug Control Authority).
The primary investigation found that M/s Maiden Pharmaceutical Limited was the company that produced the products in question, was authorized to do so by the State Drug Controller, and held a manufacturing license. The company had only created and shipped these products to the Gambia, the statement claimed.
WHO THE TEST’S RESULTS
According to sources’ estimates based on WHO’s preliminary findings, diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol were present in four of the 23 samples tested. According to official sources, WHO has also been informed that the analysis certificate will soon be given to India.
They asserted that WHO had been requested to disseminate the report regarding the identification of a connection between the in question medical products and death, preferably with pictures of the labels.