Uzbekistan has claimed that at least 18 children in the country have died after allegedly taking an India-manufactured cough syrup.
The health ministry of Uzbekistan, in a statement, said that the children who died had consumed cough syrup Doc-1 Max — manufactured by Noida-based Marion Biotech.
India has launched a probe into the claims, reports NDTV.
The laboratory tests of a batch of syrups found the presence of ethylene glycol, a toxic substance, the ministry said.
It also said the syrup was given to children at home without a doctor's prescription, either by their parents or on the advice of pharmacists, with doses that exceeded the standard dose for children.
It was found that the children, before being hospitalised, took this syrup at home for two to seven days, in doses of 2.5 to 5ml three to four times a day, which exceeds the standard dose, the ministry said.
The syrup was used by the parents as an anti-cold remedy.
After the deaths of 18 children, Doc-1 Max tablets and syrups have been withdrawn from all pharmacies in the country, the statement said, adding that seven employees were sacked because they failed to analyse the situation in time and take steps.
A joint inquiry is being conducted by the teams of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO - north zone) and Uttar Pradesh Drugs Controlling and Licensing Authority, it is learnt.
The pharmaceutical company said samples of the cough syrup have been collected from its manufacturing unit and that they are now waiting for the test reports.
A casualty assessment report has also been sought from Uzbekistan.
This is the second time in a year that India-manufactured cough syrups have come under the scanner.
Earlier this year, the deaths of 70 children in Gambia were linked to cough syrups manufactured by Haryana-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation in October shut down its unit in Sonepat for violation of manufacturing standards.
The World Health Organization (WHO) had earlier said that laboratory analysis of Maiden cough syrup had confirmed "unacceptable" amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which can be toxic and lead to acute kidney injury.
Responding to WHO, Drugs Controller General VG Somani had said that tests on samples of Maiden's products at government laboratories had "been found to be complying with specifications" and no toxic substance was detected in them.
