After allegations that cough syrups produced in India were connected to deaths overseas, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) could shortly notify proposed amendments to rules in order to make good manufacturing practice (GMP) compulsory for all pharmaceutical firms, according to a report.

The Centre recently made GMP mandatory for micro, small and medium enterprises manufacturing drugs. Only 2,000 of the 10,500 manufacturing units in the country have the World Health Organisation's GMP certification. GMP stipulates essential standards to improve product quality through control measures related to materials, methods, machinery, and processes.

Recently, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), Rajeev Raghuvanshi, held a meeting with drug manufacturers and industry stakeholders. Meetings are also being held with state drug controllers to spread awareness about enforcing the new GMP regime.

The lack of uniformity in existing regulations has led to inconsistent enforcement and underdeveloped testing infrastructure. In India, over 100,000 drug samples are tested annually, but a lack of coordination between states and the central government can cause delays in inquiries and subsequent actions.