India, Oct. 5 -- The deaths of nine children after consuming a cough syrup have exposed a nexus between some state government employees and pharmaceutical companies, even as further investigations are under way.

While Madhya Pradesh and Central health agencies initially gave a clean chit to the cough syrup in connection with the children's deaths , a report from the Tamil Nadu Drugs Authority late on Friday has put the syrup under scrutiny. The Union Health Ministry reported that six samples collected by CDSCO and tested were found to be free of diethylene glycol (DEG) and ethylene glycol (EG). The Madhya Pradesh Food & Drugs Authority also informed that out of 13 samples collected by their team, three were analysed and found free of DEG...