Health Minister Adel el Adawy decided on Monday to shut down pharmaceutical manufacturer United Pharma after the the death of four children and the illness of at least 30 others in Beni Suef by a medication it produces.

The drug, metahydrial, has been blamed for the deaths.

The health ministry says extra quantities, more than authorized for the company, were not examined by the drug control body.

All stocks of the drug will be recalled under the health minister's decision.

Three hospitals in Beni Suef have received 30 children whose symptoms were diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and stomach aches due to the use of metahydrial, according to a health ministry statement.