News Brief
Haryana-Based Firm's Cough Syrups Cleared Of Causing Deaths In Gambia, Says Health Ministry
Indian-made cough syrups were linked to child deaths in Gambia and Uzbekistan.
According to reports, cough syrups from a Haryana-based firm, which were allegedly responsible for the deaths of around 70 children in Gambia, have passed all tests in an investigation by the Union Health Ministry.
The investigation was carried out by a government Task Force led by Dr YK Gupta, the chief of pharmacology. The sources stated that if any queries or communications arise from the Gambia government, they will respond based on their report.
Meanwhile, the Gambian government has announced that they are seeking legal action against two Indian firms that supplied the medicine and are currently seeking legal advice from a top-tier international law firm.
In a statement reported by news agency Reuters, the Gambian government stated, "The government is currently benefiting from legal advice from a top-tier international law firm."
Reports have revealed that the Gambian government may have its own findings, but the Indian investigation did not uncover any issues. The Indian government conducted a thorough investigation into Maiden Pharma and found no wrongdoing.
The controlled samples of cough syrup stored at the manufacturing unit passed the test, with all four syrup samples meeting the requirements.
The Indian government's investigation into Maiden Pharma concluded that there were no problems with the cough syrup. Controlled samples kept at the manufacturing unit were tested and all four syrup samples passed the necessary tests.
The sources emphasized that their findings contradict any potential concerns raised by the Gambian government.
At least 70 children in Gambia, most of them under the age of 5, lost their lives to acute kidney injury last year. A local government-backed investigation has determined that the cause of these tragic deaths was highly likely to be contaminated medicines originating from India.
Last October, the World Health Organization raised concerns about the quality of four cough syrups supplied to Gambia by Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd, an India-based company.
In March, a collaborative investigation between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States and Gambian health authorities revealed a strong connection between the deaths and the aforementioned cough syrups.
The CDC stated that their investigation strongly suggests that the medications were contaminated with either Diethylene Glycol (DEG) or Ethylene Glycol (EG).
In a written reply to a question, Union Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar informed the Lok Sabha that the cough syrup samples had been tested and declared to be of standard quality.
The samples were found to be free from Diethylene Glycol (DEG) and Ethylene Glycol (EG).
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