Cough Syrup Samples Fail Export Quality Test | 13 Dec 2023

Recently, data from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), shows that at least 6% of cough syrup samples from 54 Indian manufacturers failed a mandatory quality test for export.

Gambia, Uzbekistan, Cameroon, and the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concerns following the deaths of children who had taken these medications.
Indian manufactured syrups were reported to be contaminated with glycol and ethylene glycol toxic substances that can sometimes be fatal, especially for children.
India’s pharmaceutical sector contributes around 1.72% of GDP and the industry is worth approximately USD 50 billion with more than half coming from exports.
The CDSCO under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare is a national regulatory authority of India.