Child deaths spark Indian cough syrup checks
The medicines will undergo testing following a WHO alert and the deaths of 80 children in two countries last year
By Joydeep Sen Gupta, Asia Editor
India will instigate mandatory tests in government-run laboratories of cough syrup destined for export, after a spate of child deaths.
The new rule, which comes into effect from June 1, was enacted after 18 children died in Uzbekistan and 66 in The Gambia last year, after they were reportedly administered Indian-made cough syrups. The deaths raised concerns about the safety standards of India’s $41 billion pharmaceutical industry.
“The export of cough syrup shall be permitted… subject to…
