The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has reported that over 100 brands of cough syrups failed their quality tests. Alarmingly, some of the tested samples contained diethylene glycol (DEG) or ethylene glycol (EG), substances linked to the deaths of 141 children in Uzbekistan, Gambia, and Cameroon. The CDSCO tested 7,087 batches of cough syrups nationwide, declaring 353 “not of standard quality” (NSQ). The sub-standard cough syrups containing DEG, EG, microbial growth, or abnormal pH values were labeled NSQ.
Among them, nine cough syrups were found to have DEG and EG. According to the CDSCO, unsecured supply chains and a lack of quality tests for DEG and EG are the reasons for these contaminations. Despite the drug regulator’s stringent approval process, drug manufacturers frequently produce sub-standard drugs. How can the manufacturing of sub-standard drugs be…
