After complaint of death of dozens of children in Gambia and Uzbekistan, after drinking cough syrup manufactured by Indian companies, the government has taken a major decision to prevent such cases from happening again. Now the cough syrup made in India will be tested in the government lab before its export. On finding it suitable as per standards, it will get the certificate and on the basis of that its export will be allowed.
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Export only after lab testing
According to the information, the new rule for testing cough syrup will come into effect from June 1. Last year, dozens of children in Gambia and Uzbekistan were reported to have died after drinking Indian-made cough syrup. Since then the government was thinking of formulating a new policy in this regard and the decision has been taken accordingly.
Earlier, the World Health Organization (WHO) had also raised questions on the quality of cough syrup made in India. The notification issued by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade, it has been said that export of cough syrup can be done only after its testing in the government lab. Certificate will be issued after verification. This new rule will be applicable from 1 June 2023. The testing will be done in labs located in Chandigarh, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Guwahati.
WHO declared the syrup contaminated
In October 2022 WHO said that the quality of four cough syrups exported to Gambia by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Limited of India did not meet the quality standards. Reports claim that it is linked to the death of several children in The Gambia. The WHO warned that the syrup may have been shipped outside the West African country also. Hence the possibility of global risk is being expressed. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that cold and cough syrup may be linked to severe kidney injury and the death of 66 children. The matter is under investigation.
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