Several states initiate action over contaminated cough syrup controversy

According to the media reports, Karnataka has directed all drugmakers to test samples of glycerine and propylene glycol and submit a report within seven days.

Food and drug administrations and drug controllers of Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Karnataka have toughened their stand on cough syrups.

Andhra Pradesh has come out with an alert through which sales of all products containing the solvent (propylene glycol) under controversy are put on hold.

Gujarat has sent alerts to field officers to specifically check cough syrups and liquid formulations that have ingredients like glycerine and propylene glycol. 

The Maharashtra FDA, on the other hand, has gone for a blanket recall of all liquid formulations made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals.

According to media reports, Karnataka has directed all drug makers to test samples of glycerine and propylene glycol and submit a report within seven days.

This comes a day after the Union Health Ministry confirmed that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and the state drug controller of Haryana have stopped manufacturing activities at Maiden Pharmaceuticals in Sonipat.

“We have issued an alert to all our officers to take a look at whoever is using that particular solvent (propelyne glycol). With respect to this alert, there is an obvious halt in sales,” said S Ravi Shankar Narayan, 

director-general, Drug Control Administration (DCA) of Andhra Pradesh. 

On Wednesday, Kerala had also stopped the sale of all products by Maiden Pharmaceuticals. 

Narayan said that none of the products of the controversial cough syrup firm is being sold in Andhra Pradesh. 

Maharashtra FDA has gone for a blanket recall of all liquid formulations made by the pharma company.

Maiden Pharma is under fire after 66 children in Gambia allegedly died after consuming cough syrups made at the company’s Sonipat plant.

The Maharashtra FDA has asked field officers and drug inspectors to inspect the manufacturing processes of all cough syrup makers. This is to assess whether they use industrial-grade solvents or pharmaceutical-grade solvents.

Maharashtra has around 250 cough syrup making units. Any unit caught using industrial-grade excipients instead of pharma-grade solvents would be penalised.

Meanwhile, the Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration said it routinely checks random samples from the market for non-standard quality. 

It sent alerts to field officers to specifically check for cough syrups and liquid formulations that have ingredients like glycerine and propylene glycol. 

Any brand found to be sub-standard would lead to an investigation.

Restrictions in place

Andhra Pradesh: Put on hold sale of products containing the disputed solvent

Gujarat: Sent field officers for an on-ground check 

Maharashtra: Called for a blanket recall of all cough syrups made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals

Karnataka: Directed testing of all samples and submission of report within 7 days