Authorities said syrups made by two Gujarat and Tamil Nadu pharmaceutical companies contained ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol, which were found in syrups linked to deaths in the Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon last year. The Central medications Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) declared 48 medications “not of standard quality” and “spurious” out of 1,166 examined in August.
A cough syrup and anti-allergy syrup from Gujarat-based Norris Medicines Limited included 0.118, 0.171, and 0.243 percent ethylene glycol, respectively, and were not of standard grade.
An official said Norris Medicines Ltd. was directed to stop production at its Ankleshwar unit a month ago.
Three batches of Fourrts (India) Laboratories’ COLD OUT syrup, which relieves nasal congestion, runny nose, and fever, contained ethylene glycol 1.9% and diethylene glycol 0.14 percent.
In August, the WHO warned about tainted COLD OUT cough medication from the same firm provided in Iraq.
A month ago, Gujarat’s Foods and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) Commissioner H G Koshia urged Norris Medicines Ltd. to cease manufacturing at its Ankleshwar plant.
He said central and state government authorities have been working for three months to protect India’s pharma sector from some businesses’ global reputation.
Koshia said an FDCA team investigated the factory in Bharuch district’s Ankleshwar industrial region and identified multiple serious and major compliance violations that could harm public health.
“A month ago, we issued a show-cause notice and ordered the company to stop manufacturing immediately. Koshia claimed the plant is still inoperable.
He stated that the company can continue production after meeting FDCA standards.
CDSCO reported that 48 of 1,166 samples evaluated at its authorised statutory laboratories were “not of standard quality” and fake.
Conclusion:-
In Gambia, Uzbekistan, and Cameroon, ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol in syrups from Gujarat and Tamil Nadu pharmaceutical businesses caused deaths. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation graded 48 of 1,166 August samples as “not of standard quality” and “spurious”. A month ago, Gujarat-based Norris Medicines Limited was directed to stop operations at its Ankleshwar plant. Both pollutants were found in three Fourrts (India) Laboratories COLD OUT syrup batches from Tamil Nadu. The WHO warned of tainted COLD OUT cough syrup from Iraq made by the same manufacturer. The FDCA issued a show-cause notice and ordered the company to stop production immediately, despite the plant being down. The company must meet FDCA standards before restarting production.
