India seeks information from USFDA/CDC on alleged contamination of eye drops

Source: The post is based on the article “India seeks information from USFDA/CDC on alleged contamination of eye drops” published in The Hindu on 5th April 2023

What is the News?

The Drugs Controller General of India(DCGI) has written to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) seeking details on the alleged contamination of eye drops imported from India.

What was the issue about?

The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) has recently said that three deaths, eight cases of vision loss and four cases of removal of eyeballs could be due to the use of an over-the-counter eye drop manufactured by a Chennai-based pharmaceutical firm.

It has cautioned that patients should stop using the eye drops pending additional information and guidance.

What was India’s response to this?

The Ministry of Health in India conducted an investigation in which samples of eye drops were found according to the standards. 

How do these incidents impact India’s image as a pharmaceutical hub?

These incidents raise questions about India’s credibility as a pharmaceutical hub.

This is not the first case. Earlier, WHO had raised questions regarding the cough syrup made in India. WHO had blamed the cough syrup for the death of 66 children in the African country Gambia.