Cough Syrups Controversy: Maiden Pharmaceuticals skipped key testing in cough syrup 66 deaths in Gambian

The Drug Controller of the Indian state of Haryana has issued a show cause notice to Maiden Pharmaceuticals for quality test violations at its factory. Officials said last week they were testing samples of cough syrup prepared by the World Health Organization for export to the Gambia in connection with the deaths of dozens of children. 

Maiden Pharmaceuticals shuts down production of cough syrup

Haryana government has stopped the production of cough syrup by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd. State Home Minister Anil Vij said, 'Samples of 3 drugs prescribed by WHO of Sonepat pharmaceutical company were sent to Central Drug Lab in Kolkata. The report hasn't come yet. Action will be taken after the report is received.

Company license revoked

In The Gambia, 66 children died after drinking cough syrup. It is said that the rules were not followed in making the syrup. There have also been many flaws in the batch number and expiry date of medicines. Not only this, the system of testing the salt used in the medicine was also not made in the company. At present, the authorities have recommended cancellation of the license of the company. Appropriate action will be taken after the test report of the sample is received. 

WHO declares four drugs as deadly

Actually, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared four medicines related to India's children's cough as deadly. In many countries, the health of children has been reported to deteriorate after drinking this syrup. Following the WHO report, six locations of the company were raided. Five samples taken during this period were sent for testing. The officers had checked the records for three days. 

Investigation team found many clues

It is worth mentioning that the team of Haryana and Central Drugs Standard Control Organization Ghaziabad investigated the case of death of children in Gambia. During this, the team found many clues. The drugs had neither the name of the manufacturer nor the date of manufacture. Not only this, the company also did not have a system for quality testing of propylene glycol.