Uzbekistan pays families of children killed by toxic syrup

The government of Uzbekistan paid 80 billion sums, or approximately 6.6 million dollars, to the families of children affected by the toxic syrup Dok-1 Max.

The payment covers the families of 72 children who died and 16 children who received treatment or are still being treated. This distribution follows a court order for a total of 82 billion sums for 90 victims.

Most families have received their funds, while a remaining 2 billion sums will reach the final two families once bank card issues are resolved. The compensation process faced delays for several years because authorities struggled to sell seized property from the guilty parties. Before the state budget covered the costs, families had only received about 20 percent of the total amount. The Ministry of Health plans to recover the spent budget funds by selling the property of the responsible parties.

The syrup, produced by the Indian company Marion Biotech, was found to contain toxic substances including ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol. The World Health Organization confirmed these hazardous impurities in January 2023. Following reports of child deaths in August 2022, Kyrgyzstan also suspended the sale of the medication.