The Marion factory in Uttar Pradesh was closed in March, after an analysis last year by Uzbekistan's health ministry of two cough syrups made by Marion, Ambronol and DOK-1 Max.
Some of the key components of the policy include creating a regulatory environment that facilitates research, and incentivising private/public investment in innovation.
The country put 21 people on trial - 20 of whom are Uzbeks and one Indian - over the deaths last week, making public for the first time a much higher death toll than previously reported.
The batch, manufactured by Fourrts (India) Laboratories Pvt. Ltd for Dabilife Pharma Pvt. Ltd, had high levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol, WHO said.
India is the world's third largest maker of drugs by volume, and US sales, which account for 30% of total pharma exports, have risen by 6.2% last year.
India has tightened its testing of cough syrup exports since June, making it mandatory for companies to obtain a certificate of analysis from a govt lab before exporting products.
Recent cough syrup-related deaths and at least one other instance of an India-made eye drop being linked to 3 deaths in US, has cast a shadow on the industry’s image.
Govt has made sample testing of cough syrups a must before export. Pharmaceutical analysts say this is a good move, but it may not be able to address all issues in drug quality management.
Standing up to America is usually not a personal risk for a leader in India. Any suggestions of foreign pressure unites India behind who they see as leading them in that fight.
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