Now Uzbekistan has spoken – Indian cough syrup killed 18 children: given without medical advice, Gambia also made similar allegations

The Uzbekistan government has alleged that 18 children died in their country after being given cough syrup made in India. The Health Ministry said on Wednesday that children died after drinking cough syrup DOK-1 MAX made by Merian Biotech in Noida in India. The World Health Organization (WHO) will cooperate with the Uzbekistan government in the investigation. India has also decided to investigate the allegations of the Uzbek government.

Gambia has also held 4 cough syrups made in India responsible for the deaths of 70 children. WHO also issued an alert on the use of these cough syrups. Although India had said that we had tested the cough syrup. Their quality was found correct. The WHO hastened to jump to conclusions.

Question- What did Uzbekistan tell the reason for the deaths of the children?

The Government of Uzbekistan has stated that cough syrup DOK-1 MAX contains ethylene glycol. It is a poisonous substance. Its use can lead to vomiting, fainting, convulsions, kidney failure, and heart-related problems.

Question- Can ethylene glycol prove fatal?

According to WHO, ethylene glycol is a carbon compound. It has neither fragrance nor colour. It is sweet. It is added to children's syrup only so that they can drink it easily. These can be fatal due to the imbalance of their quantity. It is banned in many countries.

Question- When and why this syrup was given in Uzbekistan, was it the fault of the parents?

Yes, the Uzbek government admitted that this cough syrup was given to the children from the local medical store without medical advice. Parents gave this cough syrup to children 4 times a day for 2 to 7 days for the treatment of cold and cough. The dose ranged from 2.5 to 5 ml, which is more than the standard dose for children.

Question- What steps did the Uzbekistan government take after the deaths of the children?

The Uzbek government has started an investigation. Apart from this, DOK-1 MAX tablets and syrup have been removed from all pharmacies in the country after the death of 18 children. 7 officers have been suspended. There is an allegation on them that they could not understand the situation in time and due to this necessary steps could not be taken.

Question- What is the stand of WHO on the death of 18 children?

When the news agency ANI asked WHO a question on this matter, it said – We have talked to the health officials of Uzbekistan. We will cooperate in the investigation.

Question- What is India's stand on the allegations of the Uzbekistan government?

The Uttar Pradesh Drug Controlling and Licensing Authority has started a joint inquiry. Officers of the Central Drug Standard Control Organization (CDSCO- North Zone) were also included in the investigation team. A detailed report has also been sought from the Uzbekistan government in this regard.

1. WHO: Alert was issued on 4 cough syrups made in India

On October 5 this year, the WHO issued an alert regarding 4 cough syrups made by an Indian pharmaceutical company. The alert was issued after 70 children in The Gambia died of severe kidney failure. WHO said that children may have died due to the use of these syrups. The WHO said that there is such a quantity of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol in cough syrup that it can be fatal for humans.

2. Government of Gambia: Deaths from Indian cough syrup not confirmed

As late as October, the Gambian government said that there were no confirmed deaths of children from cough syrup. The Gambia's Medicines Control Agency said on 31 October that it had not yet confirmed that Indian cough syrup had caused kidney damage to the children. So far it is known that 70 children died due to cough medicine. Many such children have also died who did not take any medicine. Some were taking other medicines. It has been found in the investigation that it is good medicine. We have not been able to reach any conclusion.

3. Government of India: Our products were up to standards, WHO jumped to conclusions in haste

After an investigation, India gave a clean chit to a cough syrup manufacturing company in the country in December. India told WHO – You showed haste in linking the deaths in Gambia with cough syrup made in India. The drug controller had also written a letter to WHO. Said- We had sent the 4 cough syrups you mentioned made in Madden Pharmaceuticals to the government laboratory for examination. All four products met the standards. We take the monitoring of medicines and cosmetics very seriously.

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