The death of dozens of children in Gambia because of an adulterated cough syrup made in Haryana will impact India’s reputation as the ‘pharmacy of the world’, former Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said on Friday while urging the Centre to fix accountability and take urgent action.
Calling it a monumental tragedy, he said in a statement that the Indian government’s stance was unacceptable.
“India has a firm legal framework and regulatory mechanism on safety, quality and standard of manufacturing. No drug that fails the test of safety can be marketed, let be alone exported. The casual statements of government authorities and drugs regulator that these syrups are not sold in India and exported only to Gambia are not reassuring ...This is unacceptable and needs urgent course correction,” Mr. Sharma said.
