Inside story: After Gambia, deaths of 18 children linked to Indian cough syrup in Uzbekistan
Months after the Gambian children’s death row, it is now Uzbekistan, claiming that drugs manufactured by an Indian firm are responsible for the deaths of children in their country. Uzbekistan’s Health Ministry has claimed that at least 18 children with acute respiratory disease (A condition in which fluid collects in the air sacs of the lungs, depriving the organs of oxygen) died after drinking a cough syrup manufactured by Noida-based Marion Biotech.
According to reports, India is set to probe the claims.
Uzbekistan’s health ministry said in a statement that the children who died had consumed cough syrup Dok-1 Max, manufactured by Noida-based Marion Biotech.
In its statement, the ministry said that Marion Biotech Pvt Ltd was registered in Uzbekistan in 2012. According to reports, the ‘Dok-1 Max’ syrup manufactured by this company is currently not being sold in the Indian market.
Media reports regarding the deaths in Uzbekistan suggest that Dok-1 Maxcough syrup was consumed without a prescription and in overdose by the affected children.
Marion Biotech’s Dok-1 Max syrup is sold on the company’s website as a treatment for cold and flu symptoms. Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Health said in a statement, ‘Investigation found that the dead children consumed this drug 3-4 times a day for 2-7 days before being admitted to the hospital. Its quantity remained between 2.5-5 ML, which is more than the standard dose of medicine for children. However, the statement did not directly allege any wrongdoing in the medicine.
According to our research on the matter, winter in Uzbekistan is extreme, with average monthly temperatures ranging between -1 °C to -3 °C between December and February. It may be possible that the weather caused the children to get cold and flu and to relieve their pain the parents gave additional doses to the children who were also experiencing acute respiratory illness.
According to the statement, preliminary laboratory studies have found the presence of Ethylene glycol in this syrup. Vomiting, unconsciousness, convulsions, and heart problems can occur if the consumption of this type of medicine is excessive.
According to reports, following reports of child deaths in Uzbekistan, the World Health Organization (WHO) is in contact with health authorities in Uzbekistan and stands ready to assist with further investigations. However, Marion Biotech, the manufacturing company of Dok-1 Max, and the Union Health Ministry have not said anything on this matter yet. Earlier this year, there were reports of the death of 70 children in Gambia.