Rathod said the Maharashtra government had initiated an inquiry against 84 out of 108 manufacturers of cough syrups in the state.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has initiated a probe in connection with the death of 18 children in Uzbekistan allegedly linked to Marion Biotech.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also said consular assistance is being provided to some linked to the company who are facing legal action there.
In a medical product alert on Wednesday, the WHO said the 'substandard medical products', manufactured by Marion Biotech, 'are products that fail to meet quality standards or specifications and are therefore out of specification'.
India's drug regulator has initiated a probe and sought further details from the WHO after the global health body issued an alert that cough syrups manufactured by an Indian firm could potentially be linked to the death of children in Gambia.
A joint team of the state and the Centre inspected the unit and found 12 violations or deficiencies.
The report also said that in past DEG outbreaks, manufacturers have been suspected of substituting DEG in the place of more expensive, pharmaceutical-grade solvents.
The two directors of the company named in the FIR, however, still remain at large.
After reports of contamination in cough syrups sent from the country, India is considering a system to test them before exporting. It is learnt that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has sent a proposal to the Union health ministry on this. The idea is to test the medicines at government labs before exporting.
Bengaluru police have arrested four individuals, including three from other states, for allegedly selling various prohibited narcotic substances like ganja, MDMA, methamphetamine, and codeine cough syrup. The arrests led to the seizure of drugs and a car, with a total market value of Rs 14.94 lakh. The accused confessed to purchasing drugs at lower prices and selling them to the public and college students for profit.
The next hearing on Pfizer's plea is slated for March 21
Popular antacid Mucaine Gel, manufactured by Pfizer's subsidiary Wyeth Laboratories, was also found laced with the heavy metals as well as cadmium.
The inspection at Marion Biotech started at around 12 pm and continued for over 10 hours during which six more samples of the syrup were taken, they said.
Maya Chemtech India Pvt Ltd supplied propylene glycol used in Marion Biotech's cough syrups that were found to be "not of standard quality", according to the regulator.
The World Health Organisation has issued an alert for four 'contaminated' medicines manufactured by an Indian pharmaceutical company that have been 'potentially linked' with acute kidney injuries and 66 deaths among children in The Gambia.
The Rajasthan government has suspended the state drug controller and halted the distribution of medicines manufactured by Kaysons Pharma following reports of children's deaths allegedly linked to contaminated cough syrup.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Monday strongly rebutted allegations by Leader of Opposition Mata Prasad Pandey over 'deaths' allegedly due to the consumption of fake medicines and codeine syrup, asserting in the Assembly that no such case has come to the notice of the state government so far.
Delhi Police have arrested a 26-year-old medical store owner and dismantled a drug supply network operating in the outer Delhi area. The arrest followed a raid in Paharganj, prompted by information obtained during the interrogation of three individuals previously arrested with contraband.
India battles big pharma over cough syrup abuse, reducing supplies
A notorious gangster, wanted in 14 criminal cases, was injured in a gunfight with the police in Odisha's Sambalpur district. The incident occurred during vehicle checking when the gangster's car was signalled to stop, leading to a chase and exchange of fire.
Nuh police arrested a drug peddler allegedly selling banned drugs from his shop, recovering cough syrup, narcotic capsules, and cash.
Three employees of a Noida-based pharmaceutical firm, whose cough syrup is alleged to have led to the death of 18 children in Uzbekistan last year, were arrested on charges of manufacturing and sale of adulterated drugs, officials said.
A probe has been initiated by India's drug regulator after the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued an alert saying cough syrups manufactured by an Indian firm could potentially be linked to the death of children in The Gambia, official sources said.
Uttar Pradesh DGP Rajeev Krishna stated that the state's law and order situation has significantly improved, with criminals losing their former confidence. He warned against anti-social elements using social media to intimidate and discussed ongoing probes into the Ayodhya Ram Mandir irregularities and the extradition of a drug trafficking kingpin. The DGP also highlighted the rising challenge of cybercrime and police efforts to combat it.
Protesters at Jantar Mantar are facing significant health challenges due to scorching heat, high humidity, and overcrowding, leading to widespread viral infections, dehydration, and injuries. Volunteer doctors are providing essential medical care amidst these difficult conditions.
An Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe has revealed that the manufacturer of Coldrif syrup, linked to the deaths of at least 20 children in Madhya Pradesh, used industrial-grade raw materials without quality checks. The investigation also found that Tamil Nadu Drugs Control Department officials were in frequent contact with the company but failed to conduct mandated inspections.
Delhi Police arrested three men involved in an illegal network supplying banned pharmaceutical drugs across Delhi and the NCR. The accused, working as medical representatives, were caught with substantial quantities of psychotropic substances and controlled medicines.
National Games gold medallist Jasmine Kaur has been banned for two years after testing positive for a prohibited substance. The NADA's Anti-Doping Disciplinary panel (ADDP) found her guilty of using Terbutaline.
The move follows reports from several state drug-regulatory authorities indicating misuse and hoarding oral formulations with high ethyl-alcohol concentration, which people use as a substitute for liquor.
According to the NCRB, cannabis and opium derivatives continued to dominate India's drug seizure landscape in 2024, with enforcement agencies confiscating over 9.42 lakh kilograms of narcotic substances under the NDPS Act.
While the opposition party asked the government to stop boasting about India being a pharmacy to the world and take strictest action, the ruling party accused it of deriding India in its "hate" for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The World Health Organisation on Friday said that it is in touch with the Uzbek authorities about the reported deaths of 18 children after consuming contaminated cough syrup made by Noida-based Marion Biotech.
Mizoram authorities destroyed drugs worth 465 crore in Champhai district, seized between March and October 2025. The contraband included heroin, methamphetamine, and alprazolam. Officials highlighted intensified enforcement efforts and the need for continued vigilance against drug abuse.
Samples of the cough syrup have been taken from the manufacturing premises in Noida and sent to the Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory (RDTL) in Chandigarh for testing, Mandaviya said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticizes the BJP government in Madhya Pradesh after at least 10 people died allegedly due to contaminated water in Indore, accusing them of negligence and insensitivity.
The move has come days after the state government announced to form a special investigation team to probe into the death of Disha Salian, the former manager of late actor Sushant Singh Rajput.
According to the ministry, chemical ethylene glycol was found in a batch of syrup during laboratory tests.
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized 524.9 kg of ganja worth approximately Rs 2.6 crore in Assam and arrested two individuals as part of increased operations before the upcoming Assembly elections in Assam and West Bengal.
Codeine-based formulations are under the scanner for misuse as a narcotic product.
Jasmine Kaur has been provisionally suspended by the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) for failing a dope test.
