Nineteen children have lost their lives in Madhya Pradesh after consuming a toxic batch of cough syrup, exposing serious flaws in India’s drug regulation system. Laboratory tests found dangerous levels of Diethylene Glycol, a chemical used in industrial solvents, far exceeding permissible limits. In response, authorities have banned three brands, sealed factories, and begun nationwide inspections. The World Health Organization has raised concerns about oversight and warned that this tragedy reflects a larger pattern. As the world’s leading producer of generic medicines, India now faces global scrutiny over the safety of its pharmaceutical exports.
