India Cracks Down on Drugmakers After Tainted Cough Syrup Deaths

India has suspended the manufacturing license of QP Pharmachem Ltd, a drugmaker, after the World Health Organization (WHO) flagged contamination in its cough syrups found in the Marshall Islands and Micronesia. The cough syrups were found to contain toxic substances, diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, which can be fatal when consumed. This comes after cough syrups made in India were linked to child deaths in Gambia and Uzbekistan last year. The manufacturing licenses of two other companies, Maiden Pharmaceuticals and Marion Biotech Pvt. Ltd, have also been suspended. The companies have denied any wrongdoing, and QP Pharmachem plans to appeal against the suspension. India has tightened its testing of cough syrup exports since June.