New Delhi: The central drug regulator is set to launch nationwide inspections and auditing of cough syrup manufacturing units even as the World Health Organization sought clarification from India on recent child deaths allegedly after consuming toxic syrup.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation ( CDSCO ) has asked all states and union territories to provide a list of cough syrup manufacturers in their jurisdiction for audit and surveillance as part of a drive to ensure stricter quality control, people aware of the development said.

At least 15 children aged below six have died in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, allegedly due to toxic cough syrups. Government officials, however, said the deaths reported in Rajasthan are not linked to cough syrups.

The WHO has, meanwhile, ex

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