New Delhi: In a decisive move that has sparked both controversy and support, India has rejected requests from drugmakers to extend the year-end deadline for upgrading their manufacturing facilities to international standards.

The decision comes amid public outrage over the recent deaths of at least 24 children linked to a locally produced cough syrup, reigniting serious concerns about drug safety and regulatory oversight. New Delhi had in late 2023 ordered pharmaceutical companies to ensure their plants meet World Health Organization-recommended standards, which would require them to invest in protocols to prevent cross-contamination and enable batch-testing of samples, among other measures. The mandate was established after India-made cough syrups were linked to the deaths of over 140 c

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