New rule for cough syrup exports: Exporters need to undertake product testing at govt labs from June 1
New rule: Cough syrup exporters will be required to test their products at designated government laboratories beginning June 1 before receiving approval for outbound shipments. After India-manufactured cough syrups were linked to dozens of deaths in Gambia and Uzbekistan in 2022, the decision to implement quality checks before export was introduced.
“The export of cough syrup shall be permitted to be exported subject to export samples being tested and production of a certificate of analysis issued by any of the laboratories…, with effect from June 1, 2023," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said.
Pharmacopoeia Commission, regional drug testing lab (RDTL - Chandigarh), central drugs lab (CDL - Kolkata), central drug testing lab (CDTL - Chennai Hyderabad, Mumbai), RDTL (Guwahati)] and NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories) accredited state government drug testing labs are specified central government labs.
The World Health Organisation stated last year that the syrups, manufactured by the Indian company Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd, contained the lethal toxins ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG) – used in car brake fluid.
Unscrupulous actors may use these ingredients as a substitute for propylene glycol (PG), a major component of syrupy medicines.
Global Pharma Healthcare, based in Tamil Nadu, recalled an entire lot of eye drops in February.
In 2022-23, India exported cough syrups for USD 17.6 billion, up from USD 17 billion in 2021-22.
Also Read | Neeraj Chopra achieves new career high, becomes World No1 in men's javelin
- With inputs from agencies
