India, Oct. 8 -- After reports of 20 child deaths in Madhya Pradesh due to the consumption of contaminated cough syrup, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on Wednesday ordered drug controllers of all the states and Union territories to take measures to ensure testing and monitoring the use or release of any batch of medicine in the market.

The drug regulator's order came after 20 children lost their lives in Madhya Pradesh while undergoing treatment for kidney failure following the consumption of the 'contaminated' Coldrif cough syrup.

The CDSCO took note of the recent child deaths in Chhindwara and said that the directorate has, from time to time, pressed on the importance of testing raw materials, including the ex...