India starts testing a pharmaceuticalcompany's exports of cough syrup

India's Ministry of Health said on June 6that the Indian side has begun testing samples of four cold and cough syrupsproduced by India's Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and exported to the WestAfrican country of Gambia. The day before, the World Health Organization issueda warning that the four syrups may be related to the deaths of 66 children inthe Gambia.

　　The WHO said laboratory analysis showedthat the syrups contained "unacceptable" levels of two contaminants,diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which are toxic ingredients that cancause acute kidney damage.

　　Reuters cited the Indian Ministry ofHealth sources reported that the syrup samples exported to the Gambia have beensent back to India laboratory testing, the government will take follow-upmeasures depending on the test results. In addition, the Indian side has askedthe WHO to share its report on the causal relationship between the syrup andthe deaths.

　　On when to share the report, WHOspokeswoman Margaret Harris did not respond to a reporter's query. She saidinformation provided by Maiden Pharmaceuticals and the Indian side indicatedthat investigators had visited the company's plant and that WHO was waiting forthe Indian side's findings.

　　Maiden Pharmaceuticals has two factoriesin Haryana. Haryana Health Minister Anil Vijay said authorities will takestrict measures if improprieties are found.

　　According to Reuters, WHO informed Indianregulators late last month about the deaths of Gambian children, and the Indianside has launched an investigation along with WHO.

　　Naresh Kumar Goyal, a manager at MaidenPharmaceuticals, said Maiden Pharmaceuticals is trying to clarify thesituation. The company's main business is manufacturing, exporting andsupplying medicines, including a wide range of capsules, ointments, syrups andtablets.