WHO alert, 11 January 2023
N°1/2023: Substandard (contaminated) liquid dosage medicines: Marion Biotech, Uzbekistan
Last checked 20 September 2026
On 11 January 2023 the WHO warned of two substandard liquid medicines, Ambronol syrup and DOK-1 Max syrup, made by Marion Biotech of Uttar Pradesh, India, and identified in Uzbekistan, where the health ministry linked them to deaths of children from acute kidney injury. Laboratory analysis by Uzbek authorities found unacceptable amounts of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol. The alert asked regulators to increase surveillance of supply chains likely to be affected. Uttar Pradesh cancelled Marion Biotech's manufacturing licence in March 2023.
India link: Manufacturer in Noida, Uttar Pradesh; products exported to Uzbekistan and linked to child deaths; UP licence cancelled March 2023
WHO Medical Product Alert N°1/2023: Substandard (contaminated) liquid dosage medicines
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Products named
- Ambronol syrup
- Marion Biotech Pvt. Ltd, Uttar Pradesh, India
- DOK-1 Max syrup
- Marion Biotech Pvt. Ltd, Uttar Pradesh, India
Official sources and primary records
- WHO
- Medical Dialogues: Manufacturing licence of Marion Biotech cancelled by UP authority over cough syrup adulterationNewsmedicaldialogues.in