Scandalous! Marion Biotech’s Licence Revoked After Cough Syrup Linked to Child Deaths.

Scandalous! Marion Biotech’s Licence Revoked After Cough Syrup Linked to Child Deaths.

Many people were shocked to learn recently that the Uttar Pradesh Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has revoked Marion Biotech Pvt Ltd’s licence. The cancellation was made due to allegations that the company’s cough syrup contributed to the deaths of 18 children in Uzbekistan the previous year. The corporation has come under scrutiny due to the news, and various questions have been raised regarding the security of medicines made in India.

Eighteen children reportedly died in Uzbekistan last year after eating cough syrup made in India, according to the Uttar Pradesh Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, prompting the cancellation of Marion Biotech Pvt Ltd’s drug licence. Marion Biotech Pvt Ltd is situated in Noida.

On Wednesday, a senior State health official announced that “the State Licensing Authority has cancelled the Marion Biotech Company’s licence.” The State health authority and the Central Medicines Standard Control Organization both unanimously decided to revoke the licence.

Toxic Adulteration

Rajeev Raghuvanshi, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), informed the State licencing authorities in a letter that 22 out of 33 samples of Marion Biotech’s cough syrup had been found to be contaminated with ethylene glycol, a chemical related to the deaths of Uzbek citizens.

The letter, dated March 7, notes that a total of 33 samples were collected by the drugs inspector throughout the course of the investigation, out of which 22 samples were deemed to be “not of standard quality.” The 22 samples were considered to be fake or contaminated medicines.

Adulteration with ethylene glycol

It has been reported that Marion Biotech’s cough syrup was adulterated with ethylene glycol, which is a poisonous substance that can cause severe health problems, including kidney damage and even death. This substance is not meant to be used in cough syrups, and its presence in medicine clearly violates safety protocols and ethical practices.

Supplier blacklisted

The DCGI also instructed State drug regulators to ensure that no other local firms buy propylene glycol as a raw material from a company called Maya Chemtech India, a company based in Delhi that provided the chemical to Marion Biotech, a company in Noida.

“It is further disclosed that the propylene glycol utilized in the contested batches was primarily supplied by M/s Maya Chemtech India Pvt. Ltd. of Delhi. Given the foregoing, you are now requested to direct all manufacturers under your jurisdiction not to utilize propylene glycol provided by M/s Maya Chemtech.

The letter said, “Thus, you are urged to direct your enforcement authorities to keep tight monitoring on the problem and to take stern action as per the provisions of the abovementioned Act and rules against the offenders in the public interest.”

Poisonous Swap

It is believed that businesses occasionally combine pricey propylene glycol with less expensive diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol for sweetening purposes. Both liquids have a high toxicity level and are transparent and viscous.

After 18 children’s fatalities in Uzbekistan were connected to the ingestion of the syrup produced by the company, India opened an investigation into the Noida-based pharmaceutical producer in December 2022.

The impact of the incident

The incident has not only resulted in the cancellation of Marion Biotech’s license, but it has also brought the safety of medicines manufactured in India under scrutiny. It has raised questions about the efficacy and safety of drugs produced by Indian pharmaceutical companies and their adherence to safety protocols.

The incident has also stressed the requirement for stricter regulatory controls to ensure the safety and efficacy of medicines. The fact that such an incident occurred raises concerns about the existing regulatory mechanisms in place and the effectiveness of their implementation.

The role of the pharmaceutical industry

The pharmaceutical industry has a vital role to play in ensuring the safety and efficacy of medicines. They are responsible for adhering to safety protocols, testing drugs for safety and efficacy, and ensuring that they are manufactured and distributed according to the highest standards.

However, incidents like the one involving Marion Biotech raise questions about the industry’s commitment to safety and ethics. The focus on profit and the pressure to meet the increasing demand for drugs may sometimes lead to companies compromising on safety and quality standards, which can have severe consequences.

However, it is difficult to view Marion Biotech’s claims with anything but scepticism. The fact remains that its cough syrup was found to be adulterated with a substance that is not only toxic but also entirely inappropriate for human consumption. It is unconscionable that a pharmaceutical company would allow such a product to be sold to the public, let alone to children.

Furthermore, the fact that Marion Biotech’s cough syrup was approved for sale in Uzbekistan suggests severe deficiencies in the country’s regulatory system. It is simply not acceptable for medicines to be approved for sale without adequate testing and oversight.

Given these facts, it is difficult to view Marion Biotech as anything but a reckless and irresponsible company. Its actions have led to the deaths of innocent children and have shaken the public’s trust in the pharmaceutical industry as a whole.

Conclusion

In the wake of this tragedy, it is essential that both Marion Biotech and the Uzbekistani government take swift and decisive action. Marion Biotech must be held accountable for its actions, and its products must be thoroughly tested and monitored to ensure that they are safe for human consumption.

Similarly, the Uzbekistani government must take steps to strengthen its regulatory system and ensure that similar tragedies do not occur in the future. The pharmaceutical industry must put safety over profit; as customers, we must be attentive and insist on this. Our lives, and the lives of our loved ones, depend on it.

Edited by Prakriti Arora