Tag: WHO

Why has substandard drugs and ethylene glycol contamination become so common

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Another Indian company has come under the scanner for substandard drugs. Nigerian drug regulator, the Nigerian National Food and Drug Administration, indicated that Mumbai-based SyneCare’s paracetamol drug PARA CLEAR SUSPENSION 125 contains the toxic substance, ethylene glycol. The product failed toxicity tests with the death of five lab animals being recorded. No human fatalities were associated with this event.

Reports of drug contamination in the past

SyneCare’s paracetamol joined the list of other Indian company’s whose drugs are said to contain these toxic substances. In the past, Maiden Pharma’s cough syrups was linked to the death of over 65 children in Gambia, while Marion Biotech’s cough syrup was linked to the death of 18 children in Uzbekistan. The Indian government however refuted allegations on Maiden Pharma.

The World Health Organization (WHO) had also issued an alert on a cough syrup manufactured by Punjab-based QP Pharmachem and marketed by Haryana-based Trillium Pharma.

Many instances of contamination with ethylene glycol and Diethylene glycol (DEG) were reportedly recently. As of January 2023, it was linked to at least seven countries and associated with more than 300 fatalities in three of these countries within a few months.

And, while India might have a number of companies which have been caught in the crossfire due to its large presence in the pharmaceutical industry, it is not just Indian companies linked to supplying drugs laced with these toxic substances.

For example, an alert was issued last year for Indonesian-made syrups which had allegedly poisoned more than 200 children in the country. Meanwhile, Cameroon’s health regulator was investigating the death of six children linked to a cough syrup which was reportedly manufactured by China’s Fraken Group.

Why this issue is so widespread

Experts said the issue is so widespread and difficult to identify because of the contamination in supply chains that are obscure and difficult to track. Pharmaceutical manufacturers generally obtain inputs from external suppliers. These inputs, most often than not, go untested, especially by the lower-quality pharma companies.

One theory also suggest that this contamination is because of the hike in prices of the generally-used safe input propylene glycol in 2021. Following the price rise, it was substituted, by some corrupt parties, with toxic alternatives such as ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol.

Some pharma companies too switched from pharma to chemical suppliers. For example, Indonesian authorities said one of the reasons for the contamination was that a local trader was selling the industrial-grade inputs as pharma-grade.

The fear is that there could be more incidents as one cannot track how much of the supply chain is infiltrated when it comes to both the inputs stored at warehouses to the finished products distributed. However, governments and agencies are becoming more proactive.

The WHO urged all countries to step up surveillance and offered support to those who lack resources. The US drug regulator also issued a guidance on testing high-risk drug components. An example of this pro-activeness was the latest case with SyneCare, in which the oral pain killer paracetamol was tested by Nigeria on behalf of Liberia.

India, too, has been turning the screws and cancelled licenses of 18 pharma companies which were allegedly manufacturing spurious drugs. The country also ordered testing of cough syrups at government labs before exporting them. In some instances, the government asked companies to stop procuring inputs from certain companies that supplied to companies linked to recent incidents.

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India makes quality check of cough syrup formulations mandatory before export

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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India has made it mandatory for cough syrup manufacturers to get samples tested and cleared by a government-certified laboratory from June 1, 2023, before being allowed to be sent overseas. The decision to implement quality checks before export was introduced after India-made syrups were linked to dozens of deaths in Gambia and Uzbekistan last year.

The export of “cough syrups” shall be permitted after the export sample has been tested at one of the earmarked laboratories by the central government and “a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) has been issued by any of the laboratories as mentioned in the notification, with effect from June 1, 2023,” the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification on Monday.

The specified central government labs include Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission, regional drug testing lab (RDTL – Chandigarh), central drugs lab (CDL – Kolkata), central drug testing lab (CDTL – Chennai Hyderabad, Mumbai), RDTL (Guwahati)] and the NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accredited drug testing labs of state governments.

Last year, India’s pharmaceutical industry, valued at $41 billion, experienced a significant setback when cough syrups produced by two companies located near New Delhi were implicated in the deaths of approximately 70 children in Gambia and 18 in Uzbekistan.

The notification comes after a spate of incidents involving contaminated cough syrups exported by Indian companies in the past 6-7 months. These incidents include Indian company Maiden Pharma’s cough syrups being allegedly linked to the death of over 70 children in Gambia while Marion Biotech’s cough syrup was linked to the alleged death of 18 children in Uzbekistan. The Indian government has refuted allegations about Maiden Pharma.

The latest incident was the WHO issuing an alert on a cough syrup manufactured by Punjab-based QP Pharmachem and marketed by Haryana-based Trillium Pharma. The cough syrup was identified in the Marshall Islands and Micronesia and analysed by the Australian drug regulators the Therapeutic Goods Administration or TGA of Australia.

In the fiscal year 2022-23, India exported cough syrups amounting to $17.6 billion, an increase from $17 billion in 2021-22. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that Maiden Pharmaceuticals had exported syrups containing dangerous toxins ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG) to Gambia.

These toxins are commonly used in car brake fluid. Likewise, Uzbekistan revealed in December that children had lost their lives after consuming cough syrup manufactured by Marion Biotech which was contaminated with either EG or DEG.

The common thread amongst all the incidents is cough syrups being substandard or contaminated with unacceptable levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol. They are colourless, odourless, sweetish-tasting substances that are mostly used for industrial purposes. The two substances can be toxic if there is any contamination to the pharma grade and if it is consumed beyond recommended levels.

The DGFT notification seems to be a part of steps undertaken by the Indian government to ensure the quality of exports and to protect the image of India being the pharmacy of the world. However, it is not just cough syrups.

Earlier this year, Chennai-based company Global Pharma was accused of manufacturing eye drugs linked to cases of vision loss and one death in the US.

The Indian government seems to have taken notice as just a few weeks ago, it cancelled the licenses of 18 pharma companies allegedly manufacturing spurious drugs. Additionally, as many as 76 pharma companies were inspected across the country by state and central drug regulators.

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How does food get contaminated? The unsafe habits that kill more than 400,000 people a year

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Conversation Unsafe foods, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), contribute to poor health, including impaired growth and development, micro-nutrient deficiencies, noncommunicable and infectious diseases, and mental illness.

Globally, one in ten people are affected by food-borne diseases each year. Antonina Mutoro, a nutrition researcher at the African Population and Health Research Center, explains what causes food contamination and how we can lower the risk of disease.

Access to safe and nutritious food is a basic human right which many do not enjoy, partly because of food contamination. This is defined as the presence of harmful chemicals and microorganisms in food that can cause illness. According to the WHO, food contamination affects about one in every ten people globally and causes about 420,000 deaths annually.

Food contamination can be: physical: foreign objects in food can potentially cause injury or carry disease-causing microorganisms. Pieces of metal, glass and stones can be choking hazards, or cause cuts or damage to teeth. Hair is another physical contaminant.

Biological: living organisms in food, including microorganisms (bacteria, viruses and protozoa), pests (weevils, cockroaches and rats) or parasites (worms), can cause diseases.

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Chemical: substances like soap residue, pesticide residue and toxins produced by microorganisms such as aflatoxins can lead to poisoning.

What are the most common causes of food contamination? The most common cause of food contamination is poor food handling. This includes not washing your hands at the appropriate time – before eating and preparing food, after using the toilet, or after blowing your nose, coughing or sneezing.

Using dirty utensils, not washing fruits and vegetables with clean water, and storing raw and cooked food in the same place can also be harmful. Sick people should not handle food. And you should avoid consuming under-cooked foods, particularly meat.

Poor farming practices can also contaminate food. This includes the heavy use of pesticides and antibiotics, or growing fruits and vegetables using contaminated soil and water. The use of inadequately composted or raw animal manure or sewage is also harmful.

Fresh foods can lead to a number of illnesses. In Kenya, for instance, the contamination of meat, fruits and vegetables with human waste is relatively common. This is attributed to the use of contaminated water to wash food. Flies carrying contaminants can also directly transfer faecal matter and bacteria onto plant leaves or fruits.

Street foods are another common source of food contamination. These foods are widely consumed in low- and middle-income countries because they’re cheap and easily accessible.

What are the signs that you’ve eaten contaminated food? Biological and chemical substances are the most common food contaminants. They account for more than 200 food-borne illnesses, including typhoid, cholera and listeriosis. Food-borne illnesses usually present as diarrhoea, vomiting and stomach pains.

In severe cases, food-borne illnesses can lead to neurological disorders, organ failure and even death. It’s therefore advisable to seek immediate medical attention if you begin to experience symptoms like persistent diarrhoea and vomiting after eating or drinking.

Children aged under five are the most vulnerable to food-borne illnesses. They bear 40 per cent of the food-borne disease burden. A child’s immune system is still developing and can’t fight off infections as effectively as an adult’s.

In low- and middle-income countries, reduced immunity in children can also occur as a result of malnutrition and frequent exposure to infections due to poor hygiene and sanitation, including a lack of access to safe water and toilets. Additionally, when children are ill, they tend to have poor appetites.

This translates to reduced food intake. Coupled with increased nutrient losses through diarrhoea and vomiting, this can lead to a cycle of infection and malnutrition and, in extreme cases, death.

Pregnant women and people with reduced immunity due to illness or age are equally vulnerable and extra care should, therefore, be taken to prevent food-borne illnesses among these groups.

Food-borne illnesses also have negative economic impacts, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The World Bank estimates it costs more than USD 15 billion annually to treat these illnesses in these countries. So it’s important to have preventive strategies in place.

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Food contamination can be prevented through simple measures: *Washing your hands at key times (before preparing, serving or eating meals; before feeding children, after using the toilet or after disposing of faeces) *wearing clean, protective clothing during food preparation *Storing food properly *Washing raw foods with clean water *Keeping raw and cooked foods separate *Using separate utensils for meats and for food meant to be eaten raw.

Good farming practices, such as the use of clean water and application of approved pesticides in recommended amounts, can help prevent food contamination.

Food vendors also need to be trained on food safety, and provided with clean water and proper sanitation.

As part of the research team at the African Population and Health Research Center, I’m working on the Healthy Food Africa project, which aims to boost food security in urban informal settlements through the promotion of food safety. In Kenya, the project is working closely with the Nairobi county government to develop a food safety training manual targeting street food vendors. This will go a long way towards improving food safety in the city.

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India among top 5 countries with highest number of preterm births: WHO Report

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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India reported the highest number of preterm births in 2020 with an estimated 3.02 million preterm births, which accounted for over 23 percent of all preterm births worldwide, as per a new report compiled by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The report titled “Born too Soon: Decade of Action on Preterm Birth” showed that apart from India, Pakistan, Nigeria and China had more than three-quarters of a million preterm babies in 2020.

As per the report, almost half or 45 percent of all preterm births in 2020 occurred in just five nations— India, Pakistan, Nigeria, China and Ethiopia.

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The report compiled by WHO, and United Nations Children’s Fund and Partnership for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), highlighted that an estimated 13.4 million babies or one in 10 babies were born preterm in 2020, with nearly one million dying from complications.

This indicates a “silent emergency” worldwide for children’s survival and health, the report added.

Preterm Birth Rates

At 16.2 percent, Bangladesh had the highest estimated preterm birth rate followed by Malawi at 14.5 percent and Pakistan at 14.4 percent.

Meanwhile, India and South Africa reported an estimated 13 percent preterm births each, rounding off the top five countries with high premature birth rates.

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Overall, the report revealed that preterm birth rates have not changed in any region in the world in the past decade as it was 9.9 percent in 2020, compared to 9.8 percent in 2010.

For India, a region-wise break-up of preterm births was revealed in a report published on June 28 last year in PloS-Global Public Health. The report showed that West Bengal reported 16 percent preterm births while in Tamil Nadu it was at 14 percent and Gujarat reported 9 percent cases.

What Causes Preterm Births?

The study highlighted that women’s lack of autonomy, agency and economic independence often results in their marginalisation and negatively impact their health and economic growth outcomes.

Further, gender-based violence is also associated with higher rates of preterm birth with teenage mothers being particularly at risk.

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Racial discrimination was also mentioned as another reason for higher rates of maternal mortality, preterm births, and low birth weight.

Climate change and extreme weather events also increase the risk of preterm birth.

Lastly, the report mentioned that lack of access to clean drinking water and poor sanitation negatively affects the health of women and babies.

Thus, the report highlighted measures to end these and named five interconnected “Es” as top priorities to further the progress made in preventing preterm births. These five Es are equity and rights, education, economics, the environment, and emergencies, which are the factors most affecting women at risk of preterm birth.

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Indian regulator confirms presence of toxic chemicals in Punjab-made cough syrup after WHO red flag

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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After the World Health Organization (WHO) raised an alert on Punjab-made cough syrup, the Indian health regulator confirmed the presence of contamination, News18 learnt on Wednesday.

On April 25, the WHO issued a Medical Product Alert on a batch of substandard (contaminated) Guaifenesin TG syrup found in the Marshall Islands and Micronesia. The cough syrup is manufactured by Punjab’s QP Pharmachem and marketed by Haryana-based Trillium Pharma.

“The samples of two different products were collected including the one that is the cough syrup in question. The cough syrup has been found contaminated with diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol,” a senior official privy to the development told News18. “The samples have been taken from control samples. The product was only used for the purpose of exports whose export licence was obtained in 2020.”

Also Read: Made in India cough syrups linked to child deaths in Gambia: US CDC

Following the laboratory reports confirming the presence of DEG and EG, the production of the liquid products has been suspended by the drug regulator of Punjab.

Guaifenesin is an expectorant used to relieve chest congestion and cough symptoms.

According to the alert issued by WHO, “Samples of the Guaifenesin TG syrup from the Marshall Islands were analysed by quality control laboratories of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia. The analysis found that the product contained unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol as contaminants.”

India has been under global scanner over complaints of contamination of DEG in cough syrups.

In October, WHO raised an alert when Gambia reported the death of children due to consumption of made-in-India cough syrup contaminated with DEG, followed by another complaint levelled by Uzbekistan in January. Uzbek authorities also complained of deaths among children post-consumption of cough syrup laced with toxic DEG.

Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are toxic to humans when consumed and can prove fatal.

Toxic effects of medical products laced with DEG include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhoea, inability to pass urine, headache, altered mental state, and acute kidney injury, which may lead to death.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

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World Hemophilia Day 2023: Date, theme, importance and all you need to know

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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World Hemophilia Day is observed every year on April 17 with an aim to spread awareness about this rare blood disorder and other inherited bleeding disorders like the Von Willebrand disease.

2023 theme

The theme for World Hemophilia Day 2023 is “Access for All: Prevention of Bleeds as the Global Standard of Care”. The theme urges communities to come together and urge authorities and healthcare policymakers to emphasise improved access to treatment and care for better control and prevention of bleeds for all people with bleeding disorders.

History

World Hemophilia Day was established in 1989 after the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH) chose April 17 to bring the community together in honour of WFH founder Frank Schnabel’s birthday.

Since then, it has been celebrated every year and the WFH urges famous landmarks worldwide to light up in Red to show support for people suffering from bleeding disorders.

Significance

World Hemophilia Day aims to increase awareness of haemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders to bring better diagnosis and better access to care for millions.

The majority of people living with haemophilia worldwide are yet to be identified and diagnosed, thus the day is dedicated to educating people about the disease for better management and treatment.

What Is Hemophilia?

Hemophilia is a disease in which an affected individual experiences non-stop bleeding even from the smallest cuts. It is an inherited bleeding disorder in which the blood does not clot properly leading to spontaneous bleeding.

Our blood contains several proteins called clotting factors that help to stop bleeding by thickening the blood when needed.

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However,  people with hemophilia have low levels of these factors and the severity of the disease depends on the amount of the factors in the blood.

In rare cases, the disease can develop later in life. This condition often resolves with timely treatment, management and care.

Signs and Symptoms

• Excessive and hard-to-stop nose bleeds.
• Bleeding into the joints causing them to swell which leads to pain and tightness in joints like the knees, elbows, and ankles.
• Bleeding into the skin (which is bruising) or muscle leads to a build-up of blood in the area (hematoma).
• Bleeding of the mouth and gums, which is hard to stop, especially after losing a tooth.
• Excessive bleeding after surgery which is hard to stop.
• Excessive bleeding after getting injections or shots of vaccinations.
• Blood is seen in the urine or stool frequently without any underlying cause.

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WHO issues advisory after China reports first human death from H3N8 bird flu, check details here

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The first human death from H3N8 bird flu has been reported in China, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday. The deceased, a 56-year-old woman from China’s Guangdong province, was only the third human to be infected with the H3N8 virus. As per the WHO, all three cases have been reported from China.

The patient was hospitalised on March 3 for severe pneumonia, and she died on March 16. As per the WHO’s official statement, environmental samples were collected from the patient’s residence and the wet market where the patient visited. All samples returned positive results for influenza A(H3), the WHO said.

The severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) surveillance system detected the case, and it was reported that the patient had several underlying conditions.

She also had a history of exposure to live poultry and contamination from wild birds around her home.

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So far, no close contacts of the patient were found to be infected, according to the WHO.

What is H3N8 bird flu?

The H3N8 virus was first detected in wild birds in the 1960s and then, it was also detected in other animals.

The virus spreads to humans usually due to exposure to live or dead poultry and in contaminated environments. It can cause severe respiratory ailments which can lead to pneumonia and death in humans. So far, human-to-human transmission of the disease has not been reported.

However, the H3N8 virus is common among birds and has little to no effect on them, according to a Reuters report.

WHO advisory

The WHO has issued an advisory to minimise the risk of infection. The world health body has recommended countries increase public awareness of the importance of avoiding contact with high-risk environments such as live animal markets/farms, live poultry, or surfaces that may be contaminated by poultry or bird faeces.

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It has advised people to maintain good hand hygiene, frequent sanitisation and use respiratory protection in risky environments. Travellers to countries with known outbreaks of animal influenza are advised to avoid contact with high-risk environments.

Further, the WHO advised against any travel or trade restrictions based on the information available on the infection at this time. It has stressed the importance of global surveillance to detect any evolution in the viral strain which can pose a threat to humans.

The WHO has further advised poultry workers to get a seasonal influenza vaccination.

Also, under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), countries have been instructed to immediately notify the WHO of any laboratory-confirmed case of human infection.

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WHO revises COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for Omicron-era

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has tailored its COVID-19 vaccination recommendations for a new phase of the pandemic, suggesting that healthy children and adolescents may not necessarily need a shot, but older, high-risk groups should get a booster between 6 to 12 months after their last vaccine.

The UN agency said the aim was to focus efforts on vaccinating those facing the greatest threat of severe disease and death from COVID-19, considering the high-level population immunity worldwide due to widespread infection and vaccination.

The health agency defined high-risk populations as older adults, as well as younger people with other significant risk factors. For this group, the agency recommends an additional shot of the vaccine either 6 or 12 months after the latest dose, based on factors such as age and immunocompromising conditions.

Meanwhile, it said healthy children and adolescents were “low priority” for COVID-19 vaccination and urged countries to consider factors like disease burden before recommending vaccination of this group. It said the COVID-19 vaccines and boosters were safe for all ages, but the recommendations took into account other factors like cost-effectiveness.

The WHO said in September last year that the end of the pandemic was “in sight”. In a briefing on Tuesday, the agency said its latest advice reflected the current disease picture and global immunity levels but should not be seen as long-term guidance over whether annual boosters would be needed.

The recommendations come as countries take differing approaches. Some high-income countries like the United Kingdom and Canada are already offering those at high-risk COVID-19 boosters this spring, six months after their last dose.

“The revised roadmap re-emphasises the importance of vaccinating those still at-risk of severe disease,” said Hanna Nohynek, chair of the WHO’s Strategic Group of Experts on immunisation, which made the recommendations.

The committee also called for urgent efforts to catch up. on routine vaccinations missed during the pandemic and warned of a rise in vaccine-preventable diseases like measles.

For COVID, it said that vaccines beyond the initial two shots and a booster were no longer routinely recommended for those at “medium risk” as benefits were marginal.

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No Smoking Day: Most common side effects and health risks

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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No Smoking Day is an annual health awareness day observed on the second Wednesday of March. This year, No Smoking Day falls on March 8. The day aims to encourage people to quit smoking and raise awareness about its harmful effects on their health. On this day smokers are encouraged to adopt healthier lifestyles.

The most common side effects of smoking include:

Cancer: Smoking is one of the leading causes of various cancers, including lung, throat, mouth, bladder, and kidney.

Heart disease: Smoking can cause the narrowing of blood vessels and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other heart-related diseases.

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Respiratory diseases: Smoking can cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other respiratory illnesses.

Dental problems: Smoking can cause yellowing of teeth, gum disease, and tooth loss.

Fertility problems: Smoking can cause fertility problems in both men and women and can also increase the risk of miscarriage and stillbirths as the practice increases the risk of pregnancy complications.

Immune System: Smoking has also been linked to immune system diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and more.

History

Smoking has been around for centuries and was initially used for medicinal purposes. However, it was not until the 20th century that it became a widespread habit. The harmful effects of smoking were not initially known, and it was only in the mid-20th century that research revealed the connection between smoking and various illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, and lung diseases. Since then, numerous campaigns have been launched to encourage people to quit smoking and raise awareness about its harmful effects.

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Significance

No Smoking Day is significant because smoking and tobacco use are major public health issues worldwide. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), tobacco is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide. Smoking kills approximately 8 million people each year. It is one of the most prevalent ways that tobacco is consumed across the world.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

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Centre asks UP drug controller authority to cancel manufacturing license of Marion Biotech

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Union government has recommended the Uttar Pradesh State Drug Controller Authority to cancel the manufacturing licence of Marion biotech. The move comes after 22 out of 36 samples taken for testing from it were found adulterated with Ethylene glycol, an official from UP Drugs Controlling and Licensing Authority said.

According to the sources, the state government drug regulating body which is currently investigating the matter has also instructed Marion Biotech to recall its products from abroad.

An officer from UP Drug Controller Authority privy to this investigation told CNBC-TV18 and confirmed, “We have got a communication from the concerned ministry which has recommended to cancel the manufacturing licence of the company. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) had before cancelled the company’s licence on January 9. We are looking into it and following the due process.”

The development comes a day after three employees of Marion Biotech were arrested by the Noida police on Friday after an FIR was lodged late Thursday night against five officials over a complaint by a drugs inspector of the CDSCO at Gautam Buddha Nagar Phase-3 Police Station. Two more directors of the company for whom searches are underway and they will also be arrested soon, police said.

The FIR was registered under Indian Penal Code sections 274 (adulteration of drugs), 275 (sale of adulterated drugs), 276 (sale of drug as a different drug or medical preparation) as well as under section 17 (misbranded drugs) and related violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Marion Biotech, whose office is located in Noida, came under scrutiny in December of last year after its cough syrup Dok-1 was linked to the deaths of 18 children who had consumed it in Uzbekistan. In response to the incident, the CDSCO launched an investigation.

On January 12, the World Health Organization (WHO) had issued a ‘medical product alert’, referring to two substandard (contaminated) products, identified in Uzbekistan and reported to it on December 22, 2022.

Also Read:Made in India cough syrups linked to child deaths in Gambia: US CDC

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow