Vantage | Why poor quality cough syrups may poison India's reputation too

In the chilling aftermath of a tragic incident in Jammu and Kashmir in 2019, the reputation of India’s pharmaceutical industry is under scrutiny. What began as a seemingly routine flu season turned into a horrifying tale of poisoning, with at least 12 children succumbing to organ failure after ingesting cough syrups. As investigations unfolded, a distressing pattern emerged – a wave of poisonings linked to cough syrups swept across the globe, leaving a trail of death and severe disabilities in its wake.

Global impact The World Health Organisation (WHO) sounded the alarm, marking this series of poisonings as one of the largest on record. Reports flooded in from various corners of the world, with countries like Gambia, Uzbekistan and Cameroon reporting alarming casualties. In a poignant account from Gambia, a mother of triplets described the agonising aftermath of administering the supposedly healing cough syrup – diarrhea, vomitting and ultimately, the heartbreaking loss of two of her children. “When they took this syrup, they had diarrhoea, and they were vomiting and their bodies were warm. They could not eat. They could not urinate. When I went to the hospital, they wanted to give them medicine and fix catheters, but before they could do that, two passed away,” said the mother of triplets who fell ill after ingesting cough syrup, Binta Ceesay. The gravity of the situation prompted swift responses from governments and regulatory bodies. In India, the aftermath of the Jammu and Kashmir incident led to a cascade of lawsuits, criminal investigations and heightened regulatory scrutiny. Mandatory testing of cough syrup exports was implemented to curb the spread of contaminated medicines. A recent government report revealed shocking findings – more than 50 companies failed quality tests casting a shadow over the entire industry. Chemical culprit A key revelation from the investigation was the presence of diethylene glycol (D.E.G), an industrial solvent, in cough syrups. The concentration of D.E.G in some samples far exceeded the internationally accepted standard of 0.1 per cent, reaching levels as high as 34 per cent. This toxic chemical, commonly used in car brake fluid, poses a severe threat when present in medicinal formulations. Despite the uncovering of these damning findings, the danger persists. Ongoing investigations are shedding light on the negligence and malpractices within the industry. Tragically, recent events in Gujarat, where five people died after consuming a medicinal syrup, underscore the urgency of addressing the issue. Lives are still being lost and the tarnishing of India’s reputation as the “Pharmacy of the World” continues. India’s pharmaceutical dilemma India has emerged as a global leader in the production of generic drugs challenging the monopoly of big pharmaceutical companies and supplying over 20 per cent of the world’s medicines. However, the recent revelations of substandard medicines and lax regulations are threatening this hard-earned reputation. If swift action is not taken to curb the practices of unscrupulous companies, the repercussions could be devastating - not only in terms of human lives but also for India’s standing in the global pharmaceutical arena. The unfolding tragedy of poisoned cough syrups serves as a stark reminder of the crucial need for stringent regulations and oversight in the pharmaceutical industry. As investigations continue and families await justice, the world watches with bated breath. The responsibility lies not just with Indian regulators but with the global community to ensure that the pursuit of profit does not come at the cost of human lives. Only through a concerted effort to crack down on those who compromise safety for financial gain can India hope to salvage its reputation as a beacon of pharmaceutical excellence. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News , Trending News , Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.