The Uzbekistan cough syrup scandal was a series of poisonings that resulted in the deaths of 18 children in Samarkand, Republic of Uzbekistan. It was caused by the drug Dok-1 Max produced by the company Marion Biotech Pvt. Ltd. which operates in India. As a result of laboratory studies, the toxic substance ethylene glycol was found in the composition of the drug. The Indian government opened a case against Marion Biotech, while the Uzbek authorities opened a criminal case against several members of the health system and the employees of the hospital where the children died. On December 22, the sale and distribution of Dok-1 Max was temporarily suspended, and officially banned in the country on December 29. A doctor who discovered that the syrup contained a poisonous substance was released from his duties. The production process of drugs with this and similar composition at the company's factories was stopped under the influence of the Indian government. In connection with this situation, Uzbekistani president Shavkat Mirziyoyev released Sardor Kariyev, the director of the Agency for the Development of the Pharmaceutical Network under the Ministry of Health. It is claimed that contacts between the World Health Organization and Uzbekistan officials have been established regarding the situation, and the investigation is still ongoing. The customs committee prevented the distribution of about 60,000 boxes of medicines on the day when news of the incident began to spread. In the wake of the event, the Indian government suspended the license of Marion Biotech on January 10, 2023. Background Dok-1 Max is a combination drug produced in syrup and tablet form that is intended to combat the symptoms of acute respiratory diseases. As such, it is mainly used in cases of whooping cough, runny nose, wet cough, sore throat, angina, headache, body aches and fever. The instructions of pharmacists indicate that the drug can be used in children aged 2 and over. However, similar formulations in drugs from other companies are mainly recommended for those over 12 years of age. Each 10 ml dose of the drug contains: paracetamol (500 mg), guaifenesin (200 mg), phenylephrine hydrochloride (10 mg), as well as sorbitol propylene glycol, sodium benzoate, citric acid monohydrate, sodium saccharin, sucralose, glycerol, caramel color, ice lemon flavor, menthol and purified water. The color is light brown, and the liquid has a smell and a sweet lemon taste. The drug was made available in Uzbekistan