India, Oct. 4 -- The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has initiated risk-based inspection of drug manufacturing units in six states following the collection of 19 samples, including cough syrups, antipyretics, and antibiotics.

The action by the central drug regulator comes in the wake of child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan allegedly due to contaminated cough syrups.

According to health ministry sources quoted in a PTI report, the manufacturing units under scanner are located in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

The aim of the testing exercise, which began on Friday, is to identify gaps that may have led to drug quality failures and also suggest process impro...