New Delhi, July 15 (KNN) India lawmaker will consider a new drugs bill on rules for importing, manufacturing and selling medicines, according to a parliamentary notice on Thursday.

The drug bill will aim at ensuring "quality, safety, efficacy, performance and clinical trial of new drugs. With the objective of highest possible regulatory standards and a transparent regulatory regime," reported Reuters stating the notice.

India's USD 41 billion pharmaceutical industry is one the largest in the world and has for years helped provide cheaper alternatives to Western products, especially to poor and developing nations.

But the recent cough syrup-related deaths and at least one other instance of an India-made eye drop being linked to three deaths in the United States, has cast a shadow on the industry's image.

India has made tests mandatory for cough syrup exports since last month. Companies that manufactured the syrups linked to deaths in Gambia and Uzbekistan have denied any wrongdoing.  (KNN Bureau)