Uzbekistan: "18 Children Dead After Taking Indian Cold Syrup"

Toxic Substance 'Ethylene Glycol' Detected in Syrup
Indian Health Authorities Begin Safety Inspection of Manufacturer

[Image source=Getty Images]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The Uzbek government has announced that 18 children died after taking Indian-made cold medicine syrup, drawing attention to the background of the incident. Previously, the same cold medicine syrup was known to have caused the deaths of over 70 children in Gambia, Africa, prompting Indian health authorities to launch an investigation into the manufacturer.

According to AFP on the 29th, the Uzbek Ministry of Health revealed that 18 children died after taking the syrup cold medicine 'Doc-1 MAX,' produced by the Indian pharmaceutical company Marion Biotech. The Uzbek Ministry of Health stated, "Toxic substances, including ethylene glycol, were detected in some batches of the cold medicine," and it is presumed that the children died due to this toxic substance.

The Uzbek Ministry of Health explained that ingestion of 1?2 ml/kg of 95% concentrated ethylene glycol can cause vomiting, fainting, seizures, cardiovascular problems, and acute kidney failure, which can lead to death in the worst cases. The ministry also pointed out, "The cold medicine was administered to affected children in doses exceeding pediatric standards based solely on local pharmacy recommendations without a doctor's prescription."

The sale of the medicine has currently been suspended, and Uzbek authorities have begun recalling the product. The Ministry of Health added that seven ministry employees were dismissed for failing to respond adequately to the situation.

The manufacturer of the cold medicine is the same company that produced the syrup involved in the deaths of over 70 children in Gambia, Africa, earlier this year. Toxic substances such as ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol were also detected in that cold medicine.

Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of Health has not issued an immediate comment on the Uzbek health authorities' announcement but is reportedly investigating the issue. The Indian government has started inspections of some pharmaceutical factories nationwide.

This incident is expected to deal a significant blow to the reputation of Indian pharmaceuticals, often called the "Pharmacy of the World." India's pharmaceutical exports have more than doubled over the past decade, reaching $24.5 billion (approximately 31 trillion 7.33 billion KRW) in the last fiscal year. Although India benefits from lower production costs due to cheap labor and rent compared to other countries, it faces criticism for inadequate safety verification caused by government budget and manpower shortages.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.