A chemical trader involved in the supply chain revealed that an unnamed middleman in Mumbai provided the essential material used in Indian-made cough syrups that have been linked to the deaths of more than 70 children in Gambia. Last year, the World Health Organisation stated that cough syrups made by Indian manufacturer Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd. contained the lethal toxins ethylene glycol (EG) and diethylene glycol (DEG).

The drug regulators in India informed the WHO that the propylene glycol used in the syrups came from Goel Pharma Chem, a Delhi-based pharma supply company. In December 2022, they reported that the chemical was "recorded to have been imported" from South Korean manufacturer SKC Co., Ltd. The national regulator also stated that their tests found no toxins in the syrups.

However, according to a notice sent to Maiden Pharmaceuticals, the factory inspectors did find several batches of medicine that were incorrectly labeled. According to the Indian regulator, the raw material information came from certificates of analysis (COAs), which are routine documents used to trace each constituent in a medicine supply chain. The certificates revealed that in October 2022, Maiden stated that it obtained raw materials from "certified and reputed companies."

When asked to comment on the accusation that a middleman was involved in the supply chain, the lead investigator appointed by the WHO stated that investigations had come to a "dead end" due to a lack of information from Indian authorities and the manufacturer.The Medicines Control Agency in Gambia also stated that it had not received any information from Maiden or Indian officials, despite their request for information after the discovery of the tainted products.

 (Source: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/indian-cough-syrup-mystery-middleman-may-be-new-clue/article66803250.ece )