As of today the WHO (world health organization) made an alert on the manufacture of Made-in-India medicines such as cough syrups and vitamins that are linked to 300 deaths globally. These contaminated medical products were previously linked to the deaths of over 88 people in the countries like Uzbekistan and Gambia.

• These cough syrups contained lethal toxins ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol which are used in automobiles such as car brake fluid, aeroplanes, boats and other products not fit for human consumption.

• A few countries including Uzbekistan, Gambia and Nigeria have recently been linked to deaths from the consumption of India-made medicines

• Earlier in October 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) issued an alert informing that four cough syrups in Gambia, made by India-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals, were of substandard quality. The cough syrups were linked to the death of children in Gambia, many of whom were under the age of 5.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        India’s drug controller unit had launched an action on manufacturers like Noida’s Marion biotech, Haryana-based global Pharma and Punjab’s QP Pharmachem.

Few statements
•Union health minister Mansukh Mandviya said that “We have conducted risk-based analysis at more than 125 companies and our squads have visited their facilities. Of these, 71 companies have been served show-cause notices and 18 have been given closure notices.”

• As per the sources, (CDSCO) the central drugs standard control organization, said the health ministry prioritizes making sure that all the medicines are tested for quality control before export and will make sure to take corrective measures.

• Government issued a notice on May 22, the notice stated that Any cough syrup must have a certificate of analysis issued by a government laboratory before it is exported, effective June 1, shared by the health ministry.

Indian pharmaceutical industry is known for its generic medicines and low-cost vaccines globally. Transformed over the years as a vibrant sector, presently Indian Pharma ranks third in pharmaceutical production by volume. The Pharmaceutical industry in India is the third largest in the world in terms of volume and 14th largest in terms of value.

 According to a recent EY FICCI report, as there has been a growing consensus over providing new innovative therapies to patients, the Indian pharmaceutical market is estimated to touch US$ 130 billion in value by the end of 2030. Meanwhile, the global market size of pharmaceutical products is estimated to cross over the US$ 1 trillion mark in 2023