India has been forced to halt all production from Maiden Pharmaceuticals following allegations that its cough and cold drug was linked to the deaths of dozens of children in Gambia.
Known as the 'pharmacy of the world', India supplies 45% of all generic drugs to Africa.
However, last week the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a warning asking regulators to pull Maiden's products off the market.
The WHO said laboratory analysis of four Maiden products including Promethazine Oral Solution, Kofexmalin Baby Cough Syrup, Makoff Baby Cough Syrup and Magrip N Cold Syrup, had 'unacceptable' amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.
This is because, it can be toxic and lead to kidney failure to the user.
According to preliminary investigations by the Gambian police, the deaths of 69 children due to kidney failure were linked to cough medicines made in India and imported through US-based Atlantic Pharmaceuticals.
Meanwhile, Indian authorities have carried out inspections at Maiden's main factory 4 times this month.
It later suspended all its operations on Tuesday after finding that the firm violated regulations in the production and testing of its drugs.
The Chief Assistant Director of the WHO, Mariangela Simao told that it is now working closely with the Indian authorities.
He said the WHO's conclusion on the death linked to Maiden's drug was based on the analysis of several samples of the drug used by hospitalized children.
