Maiden Pharma, Blamed For 66 Deaths In Gambia, A Repeat Offender In India

India is testing samples of the cough syrups produced by Maiden Pharmaceuticals after the World Health Organisation said its products were linked to the deaths of dozens of children in the Gambia.

Indian drug company Maiden Pharmaceuticals, which came under scrutiny after 66 children died in Gambia after ingesting cough syrup made in India, was a frequent crime in India as well. Many of the drugs are not found by the drug company to match the quality standards set by the country's four states.

Vietnam banned the company in 2011

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Speaking to NDTV, public health activist Dinesh Thakur noted that the company's drugs have been flagged for quality issues in India as well.

“I found the company to be sorely lacking in quality control. We don't have a regulatory system in India. We have a central regulator called the Central Drug Standards Control Organization (CDSCO),

But every country has its own regulator.

While researching, we found that regulators in Kerala and Gujarat said Maiden Phrama medicines were of poor quality. The Bihar Public Procurement Agency has also blacklisted a drink.”

Mr. Thakur further questioned how a company can give permission when it has a poor track record.

“Vietnam had blacklisted many companies a few years ago because of their poor quality, and this company was also included in it. When it has such a record, how was it given permission? The export permission is only granted by the central regulator. Website CDSCO's website bears his name.This company has removed its website.

Some cases related to the directors of the company were also found in court. All this is indicative of the state of the drug regimes in place in the country.”

Red flags against Maiden Pharmaceutical

Bihar (2008): Erythromycin stearate 125 mg syrup (4 batches found to be of poor quality)

Bihar (2011): Methylergometrine tab (mock)

Vietnam: The company was banned from 2011 to 2013

Gujarat (2013): Macipro Tab (filter issues)

Jammu and Kashmir (2020): Cyproheptadine Hydrochloride Syrup IP (low quality)

Kerala (2021): Metformin 1000 Tab (dissolution problem)

Kerala (2021): Easiprin (did not meet IP standard)

Kerala (2021): Metformin 500 mg (dissolution problem)

Kerala (2021): Maikal D Tab (poor quality)

The Gambia has launched a door-to-door campaign to collect cough and cold medicines blamed for the deaths of more than 60 children from kidney injuries in the small West African country.

India is testing samples of cough medicine made by Maiden Pharmaceuticals after the World Health Organization said its products were linked to the deaths of dozens of children in The Gambia.

The samples were sent to a central pharmaceutical laboratory for examination.

The health minister of Haryana state, where Maiden's factories are located, told reporters. "Strict action will be taken if any error is found."

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