BITTER MEDICINE

INDIA REMAINS THE PHARMACY OF THE THE WORLD BUT HAS ALONG WAY TO GO IN DRUG REGULATION

- Gagandeep Kang

THE TRUTH PILL

The Myth of Drug

Regulation in India

By Dinesh Thakur and Prashant Reddy T.

SIMON & SCHUSTER INDIA

₹ 899 (hardback); 

508 pages

In October, the World Health Organi­zation reported that the deaths of 66 children due to acute kidney failure in The Gambia were potentially linked to four brands of cough syrups manufactured by Maiden Pharmaceu­ ticals in Haryana. The deaths took place over a few months and a WHO labora­ tory analysis following investigations in September found unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol in the products. A medical alert was issued after informing the Central Drugs Stan­dard Control Organisation on September 29. An inspection of the manufacturing facility found lapses and production was halted. Many statements were made on whether it was central or state respon­ sibility to permit manufacture and/ or export, and the WHO process ques­tioned. Within a few weeks, the news was no longer on the front pages.