India Introduces Stricter Measures For Exporting Cough Syrups After Child Deaths In Gambia, Uzbekistan

After Indian-made cough syrups were linked to child deaths in Gambia and Uzbekistan, India will only allow cough syrup exports after government laboratory testing, according to a notice on Tuesday (23 May).

Starting from 1 June, in order to be exported, all cough syrups need a certificate of analysis from a government laboratory.

Cough syrups made in India are said to have caused 70 child deaths in Gambia and 19 in Uzbekistan, harming the reputation of India's $41 billion pharmaceutical industry.

India may alter its pharmaceutical industry policy, with plans to enhance cough syrup and raw materials testing, according to a recent Reuters report.

India exported cough syrups worth $17.6 billion in 2022-23, as against $17 billion in 2021-22.