Pharmexcil revokes Marion Biotech’s membership for failing to respond to the Uzbekistan cough syrup fatalities investigation.
The Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council of India (Pharmexcil), a body under the Ministry of Commerce, terminated Marion Biotech Pvt Ltd’s membership on Friday after the company failed to respond to a report of children’s deaths in Uzbekistan allegedly caused by the company’s cough syrups.
According to Pharmexcil insiders, the medicine manufacturer will lose some incentives if its membership is suspended.
Sources told PTI that the DoC (Department of Commerce) incentives granted through Pharmexcil would not be extended until the suspension is lifted.
Marion Biotech, situated in Noida, is the flagship company of the Emenox group, which has a presence in real estate and healthcare in addition to Marion Biotech, which is under scrutiny following the death of 18 children in Uzbekistan after taking its cough syrup.
“You are additionally asked to explore the causes of the alleged Serious Adverse Events at your end and to keep us apprised of your findings as soon as possible so that we can take the required next steps.” In the event that the needed information is not submitted by December 29, 2022, your Registration and Membership Certificates (RCMC) will be suspended without further notice,” Pharmexcil informed Marion Biotech on December 28.
Since 2010, Marion Biotech has been registered with Pharmexcil as a small-scale manufacturer and since 2016 as a commercial exporter.
“Alleged delivery of substandard medications by the company that resulted in the deaths of 18 children has tarnished the reputation of the Indian pharmaceutical industry and is likely to affect international organisations’ confidence in Indian pharmaceutical exports,” the export group added.
