Deaths of Gambian children cast dark shadow over India’s drugs industry

Maiden Pharmaceuticals, the maker of four cough and cold syrups the World Health Organization said might be responsible for the deaths of the children, is under investigation. AFP - XAVIER GALIANA

The tragic demise of 66 children in the West African nation of Gambia as a result of the use of suspect cough remedies has brought into focus a dangerous aspect of India’s massive pharmaceutical industry.

The Indian medical regulatory body, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), announced it had launched an investigation into Maiden Pharmaceuticals, the maker of four cough and cold syrups the World Health Organization (WHO) said might be responsible for the deaths of the children.