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World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) Chief Scientist -- Dr Soumya Swaminathan has said that it is very important for India to have a strong regulatory system to remain a leader in the generic medicine and vaccines space. She mentioned ‘I think it's going to be very important for the reputation and ultimately for India to remain as a leader in the generic medicine and vaccines space to prove beyond doubt that we have a very strong regulatory system.’

India has sought more information from WHO about the initial illness, symptoms and treatment provided to the Gambian children who died allegedly after consuming contaminated cough syrups manufactured by a Sonepat-based company. Soumya said pharmaceutical contamination is a serious issue and should be taken seriously.

She stated ‘WHO actually provided the report based on the investigation that was done to prove that it was because of the Diethylene glycol (DEG) contamination, it's a serious issue, I think it has to be taken very seriously.’  She added 'We have the central and the state regulators. We need to look at the rules of operation and see how we harmonise these.’