CDSCO to inspect cough syrup manufacturing units

New Delhi: The central drug regulator is set to launch nationwide inspections and auditing of cough syrup manufacturing units even as the World Health Organization sought clarification from India on recent child deaths allegedly after consuming toxic syrup. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has asked all states and union territories to provide a list of cough syrup manufacturers in their jurisdiction for audit and surveillance as part of a drive to ensure stricter quality control, people aware of the development said.

At least 15 children aged below six have died in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, allegedly due to toxic cough syrups. Government officials, however, said the deaths reported in Rajasthan are not linked to cough syrups. The WHO has, meanwhile, expressed concern regarding the regulatory gap in diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol screening for domestically marketed medicines in India.

DEG has been detected in at least three oral syrup medicines tested so far, the CDSCO has informed the international health agency. The WHO said it is monitoring media reports regarding clusters of paediatric illnesses and deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

“These reports…describe symptoms consistent with acute renal failure and acute encephalitis syndrome, with suspected links to the use of oral syrup medicines. WHO is deeply saddened by the reported fatalities and extends its sincere condolences to the affected families and communities,” it said. “WHO communicated that it stood ready to support national authorities in investigating and responding to these tragic events,” one of the persons cited above said. The WHO had on October 1 contacted the CDSCO for clarification regarding potential links to contaminated medicines and whether the products were exported to other countries.