The top World Health Organization has warned non-usage of two cough syrups in Uzbekistan for children made by noida-based Marion Biotech.
In its warning against the syrups, the top health body said, “substandard medical products”, manufactured by Marion Biotech, “are products that fail to meet quality standards or specifications and are therefore out of specification.”
“This WHO Medical Product Alert refers to two substandard (contaminated) products, identified in Uzbekistan and reported to WHO on 22 December 2022. Substandard medical products are products that fail to meet quality standards or specifications and are therefore out of specification,” said WHO.
“The two products are AMBRONOL syrup and DOK-1 Max syrup. The stated manufacturer of both products is MARION BIOTECH PVT. LTD, (Uttar Pradesh, India). To date, the stated manufacturer has not provided guarantees to WHO on the safety and quality of these products,” the World Health Organization said further.
Marion Biotech came into question after reports on deaths of children in Uzbekistan following consumption of the couch syrups were circulated.
As per the findings of laboratory analysis on the samples of cough syrups by the national quality control laboratories of Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan it was known the syrups contained extra amounts of diethylene glycol or ethylene glycol, which is unacceptable.
“Both of these products may have marketing authorizations in other countries in the region. They may also have been distributed, through informal markets, to other countries or regions,” WHO also said.
“The substandard products referenced in this Alert are unsafe and their use, especially in children, may result in serious injury or death, ” said the UN Health agency.
On December 22, Uzbekistan had linked deaths of 18 children to the cough syrups manufactured by the Noida-based Marion Biotech.
Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration department on Tuesday suspended the production license of Marion Biotech alleging it for the deaths of 18 children in Uzbekistan.
