NEW DELHI: India’s northern state of Uttar Pradesh has controversially allowed the resumption of production at a factory owned by Marion Biotech, despite international concern regarding its cough syrups linked to the deaths of 65 children in Uzbekistan last year. The World Health Organization (WHO) and other agencies have connected Marion Biotech and two other Indian companies to the deaths of 141 children in Uzbekistan, Gambia, and Cameroon, marking one of the world’s deadliest waves of poisoning related to cough syrup.
The drug controller of the state where Marion Biotech is based, Shashi Mohan Gupta, confirmed the recent order allowing resumption of production of controversial cough syrup.
Despite the controversy, India’s controller general of drugs, Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi, initiated a plan of corrective and preventive actions by Marion Biotech, as reported on Wednesday. The factory in Uttar Pradesh had been closed in March after an analysis by Uzbekistan’s health ministry found unacceptable levels of toxins diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG) in Marion’s cough syrups.
India’s Controversial Decision on Toxic Cough Syrup Firm
Tests conducted earlier this year by an Indian government laboratory confirmed adulteration and spurious content in Marion-made syrups. The company appealed against the decision, leading to the recent partial reopening.
The scandal has raised concerns about the use of cheaper, toxic substances like DEG and EG in cough syrups, substituting propylene glycol when prices spiked. In Uzbekistan, it was revealed that distributors of the contaminated Marion syrups allegedly bribed officials to skip mandatory testing. The nation has put 21 people, including one Indian, on trial for the children’s deaths.
International scrutiny continues as the affected nations seek justice and answers regarding the deadly contamination that claimed the lives of numerous children.
