Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Health officials in Samarkand region hid information about the death of children from the drug "Doc-1 Max" from the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan. This was stated today by the Minister of Health of Uzbekistan Behzod Musaev.

In his video message, the head of the Ministry of Health expressed condolences to the parents of all children.

Behzod Musaev noted that all the guilty and those, who made a mistake, will be held accountable.

The minister said that law enforcement agencies of Uzbekistan detained several persons, who were involved in the import, registration and distribution of the drug "Doc-1 Max".

At the same time, according to him, several officials of the healthcare system were dismissed from their positions for their negligent attitude to what is happening.

The State Security Service of Uzbekistan also announced the initiation of a criminal case into the death of children after taking this drug.

Officials of the importing company Quramax Medical and the Scientific Center for Standardization of Medicines were detained under Article 186-3 of the Criminal Code of Uzbekistan.

The suspects were placed in the detention center of the State Security Service. The exact number of detainees is not specified.

The State Security Service emphasized that, according to the conclusion of the State Center for Expertise and Standardization of Medicines, Medical Devices and Medical Equipment, the syrup does not meet the requirements of regulatory documents.

Earlier, the Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan reported that the toxic substance ethylene glycol was found in the Indian drug.

In Samarkand, several children were previously hospitalized as a result of side effects of the drug "Doc-1 Max".

According to the children’s ombudsman, in September-December, 21 children with acute renal failure were treated at the regional children’s multidisciplinary medical center. The children were from Jizzakh, Kashkadarya, Navoi and Samarkand regions.

The Ombudsman’s message said that three patients have recovered and have been discharged home. The remaining 18 children have died. All children were under 6 years of age. At the same time, 15 children were under the age of 3 years.