A team of drug inspectors from the Centre and Uttar Pradesh government visited the Noida manufacturing facility of a company whose cough syrup Uzbekistan said caused the deaths of 18 children in the country.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Twitter that the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has been in contact with Uzbekistan's drug regulator since December 27 concerning "contaminated" cough syrups made by Noida-based Marion Biotech.

The Health Ministry said that there have been reports from Uzbekistan concerning contaminated cough syrup Dok1 Max made by Marion Biotech.

Marion Biotech has halted production of the cough syrup under the scanner. "We regret the deaths. The government is conducting an enquiry. We’ll take action as per the report,” Hasan Harris, a legal representative of Marion Biotech, told the agency.

Uzbekistan’s Health Ministry has said that samples of Dok-1 Max Syrup, produced by Marion Biotech, contained Ethylene Glycol. Dok-1 Max Syrup and tablets are used as anti-cold medication.

Ethylene Glycol is toxic if found in medicines. This chemical is found in industrial-grade glycerine, and is not permitted for medicinal purposes. Consuming ethylene glycol can lead to convulsions, renal failure; affect the circulatory system, vomiting etc.

Marion Biotech holds a licence for manufacturing of Dok1 Max Syrup and tablets for exports allowed by Uttar Pradesh’s drugs controller.

Uzbekistan’s allegation comes within months of a controversy in Gambia where the WHO said that cough syrups manufactured by Haryana-based Maiden Pharmaceuticals were contaminated, leading to the deaths of 70 children.