NEW DELHI: The deaths of 12 children in northern India between December 2019 and January 2020, police allege, were caused by adulterated cough syrup made by drugmaker Digital Vision. It was not the first time the company's medicines have come under scrutiny.
Indian drugs regulators found quality shortfalls in drugs made by Digital and its unit Orison Pharmaceuticals at least 22 times between 2012 and July this year, according to a Reuters review of records from five states and India's federal drugs regulator CDSCO.
The medicines either did not contain the claimed volume of ingredients or failed to dissolve quickly enough for absorption by the body, according to the records.
Digital Vision founder Parshottam Goyal downplayed the shortfalls. "Drug samples of every company fail on some criteria every now and then: small mismatches in the quantity of medicines and things like that," he told Reuters, when asked about the regulators' warnings.
Tests by government laboratories in 2020 found that a batch of Digital Vision's COLDBEST-PC cough syrup taken by the children in the northern region of Jammu and Kashmir contained high levels of toxic chemicals. The company has denied this and said its syrup was not to blame for the wave of poisonings, without providing proof.
Maiden Pharmaceuticals - whose cough syrups have been linked to deaths of at least 70 children in Gambia last year – had also been alerted by regulators to quality shortfalls in some of its drugs.
Regulators found at least 10 medicines produced in India by Maiden were "not of standard quality," according to records shared by India's Department of Pharmaceuticals with parliament in March. The eastern state of Bihar in 2011 banned the company for five years for selling substandard medicines there.
India's health ministry and the CDSCO did not respond to requests for comment.
Maiden, which has denied its cough syrup was responsible for the deaths in Gambia, did not respond to requests for comment for this story.
When Maiden produced the syrups exported to Gambia in late 2021, its founder, Naresh Kumar Goyal, and Technical Director Mahender Kumar Sharma were already on bail since March 2018 in a separate case on charges of illegally storing substandard medicines, according to documents from a court in Haryana state.
Goyal did not respond to requests for comment; Sharma could not be reached.
The court documents show that inspectors visited Maiden's factory in 2014 after Vietnam had banned the company the previous year for allegedly selling another heartburn drug there that did not meet specifications.
Maiden's lawyers told the court in Haryana its own testing had shown the drugs discovered by the Indian inspectors fell short and it had not intended to sell them.
But the court in February this year found "substandard quality medicines were kept for the purpose of its sale to derive undue gain" and that "such types of sub-standard quality drugs were also exported" to Vietnam.
It sentenced Goyal and Sharma to two and half years in jail. They pleaded not guilty, appealed in a higher court, and have been on bail again since March while their petition is heard.
Reuters
Wed Sep 13 2023
The medicines either did not contain the claimed volume of ingredients or failed to dissolve quickly enough for absorption by the body, according to records. - UNSPLASH
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.
Economic outlook: Budget 2025 to lay foundation for a digital-driven economy
The report said Budget 2025 will entail efforts to position Kuala Lumpur as a top 20 global startup hub by 2030 through the KL20 initiative.
Economic outlook: Corruption and lack of accountability hinder economic progress
Special Cabinet Committee on National governance is established to curb corruption, law reforms to modernise outdate regulations, MoF said.
National Wages Consultative Council will be strengthened
The govt will also incentivise hiring women returning from career breaks, offer job matching and improve care services facilities.
Economic outlook: Ensuring 11 years of compulsory education for all children
Budget 2025 will continue prioritising upskilling and retraining initiatives to equip workers with the latest skill sets necessary.
Consolidated public sector projected to record lower surplus of RM41.7 bil 2024
The MoF said the consolidated general government revenue is estimated to increase slightly to RM384.7 billion in 2024.
PM announces substantial Budget 2025 hastening Malaysia to become Asian economic powerhouse
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said it would create jobs and also tackle financial leakages to enhance public spending efficiency.