NEW DELHI, Mar 24 (NNN-PTI) – Authorities in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, cancelled manufacturing licence of the pharmaceutical firm, Marion Biotech, whose cough syrups were linked to the death of 18 children in Uzbekistan, officials said yesterday.
“Marion Biotech’s licence was cancelled as the company couldn’t respond to the show-cause notice satisfactorily,” S. K. Chaurasia, a drug licensing officer from Uttar Pradesh, was quoted by a local newspaper, as having said.
The cancellation of the licence was done by Uttar Pradesh Drugs Controlling and Licensing Authority.
The firm’s licence was under suspension since Jan, after which a detailed inquiry was initiated.
The World Health Organisation in Jan, had warned against the use of two cough syrups manufactured by Marion Biotech, saying they were substandard.
Earlier this month, Indian police arrested three employees of the firm and issued a lookout notice for two others, after laboratory tests confirmed that the company was manufacturing adulterated and spurious drugs.
Marion Biotech had come under the scanner in Dec last year, after its cough syrup, Doc-1 Max, was alleged to have caused the death of 18 children in Uzbekistan.
Following the reports, the Indian government launched an inquiry into the matter.– NNN-PTI
