Uzbekistan claims 18 children died after drinking Made in India syrup

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Dec 28, 2022: Months after the Gambian children’s death row, the health ministry of Uzbekistan has claimed that as many as 18 children have lost their lives in the country after consuming medicines manufactured by an Indian pharmaceutical company.

 

The company in question is Marion Biotech Private Limited, which was registered in 2012 in Uzbekistan.

In a statement, the health ministry said the children who died had consumed the Dok-1 Max Syrup produced by Noida-based Marion Biotech. To date, 18 out of 21 children with acute respiratory disease have died as a result of taking Doc-1 Max syrup, the ministry said.

"It was found that the deceased children, before admission to hospital treatment, took this drug at home for 2-7 days 3-4 times a day, 2.5-5 ml, which exceeds the standard dose of the drug for children," the statement noted.

"Since the main component of the drug is paracetamol, Doc-1 Max syrup was incorrectly used by parents as an anti-cold remedy on their own or on the recommendation of pharmacy sellers. And this was the reason for the deterioration of the condition of patients," it added.

The preliminary laboratory studies have shown that this series of Doc-1 Max syrup contains ethylene glycol. "This substance is toxic, and about 1-2 ml/kg of a 95% concentrated solution can cause serious changes in the patient’s health, such as vomiting, fainting, convulsions, cardiovascular problems and acute kidney failure," the ministry pointed out.

A total of seven responsible employees were dismissed from their positions for being negligent and inattentive to their duties and even disciplinary measures were applied to a number of specialists.

Currently, tablets and syrups of the drug Doc-1 Max are withdrawn from sale in all pharmacies of the country in the prescribed manner. The ministry has also asked parents to be attentive to the health of their children, and to purchase medicines in pharmacies only by prescription.

This comes months after the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an alert for four "contaminated" cough syrups manufactured by an Indian drugmaker, Maiden Pharma, that have been "potentially linked" with acute kidney injuries and 66 deaths among children in Gambia.

Courtesy: India Today