The fourth Indian company subjected to a crackdown over tainted drugs, the Indian government on Tuesday directed a drugmaker whose cough syrup was connected to the deaths of a minimum six children in Cameroon to stop production.
As a result of cough syrups produced there being connected to the deaths of numerous children abroad, India’s reputation as the “pharmacy of the world” has been damaged. As a result, Indian officials have increased inspections at drugmakers.
Deputy Health Minister Bharati Pravin Pawar informed the house that Riemann Labs, situated in the state of Madhya Pradesh in central India, had been advised to cease manufacture following an examination by federal and state drug officials.
Among the three directors of Riemann Labs, Rajesh Bhatia, told Reuters over the phone that he was unaware of the situation. Further questions were not addressed by him, and his phone was afterwards inaccessible.
Three producers of cough syrup have had their manufacturing permits suspended by India thus far. If Riemann’s licence was also suspended, Pawar didn’t say.
The World Health Organisation reported last month that a batch of Naturcold cough and cold medicine sold in Cameroon had very high concentrations of a hazardous component.
Pawar omitted naming the narcotic sold in Cameroon by Reimann.
