Punjab Newsline | Shimla
As many as 239 drug samples across India have failed quality checks, including 83 medicines manufactured in Himachal Pradesh, according to the July drug alert issued by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
Of the total failed samples, 40 were tested by CDSCO, with 12 samples from Himachal Pradesh found not conforming to prescribed quality standards. Another 199 samples failed tests conducted by state laboratories, including 71 samples manufactured in Himachal Pradesh.
In Himachal Pradesh, failed drug samples were linked to pharmaceutical companies located in Solan, Sirmaur, Una and Kangra. Solan accounted for the highest number, with samples from 56 companies failing quality tests, followed by Sirmaur with nine, Una with five and Kangra with three.
Five Samples From One Baddi Company Fail
In one case, five samples from a pharmaceutical company in Baddi failed quality tests simultaneously. The samples were related to medicines used for treating iron deficiency.
Samples from several other manufacturers also failed testing. These included vitamin D medicine from Live Wave in Jharmajri, a medicine for pain and inflammation from Samson Laboratories in Baddi, and two samples of a medicine used for dehydration from Hindustan Polypave, Baddi.
Other failed samples were linked to JM Laboratories in Subathu, Mertin & Crown in Baddi, Forgo in Barotiwala, Medirose in Kangra, Acme, Servedic in Baddi and Vigs Biotech. The medicines included formulations used for acidity, dry cough, fever, folic acid deficiency, anaemia and nerve-related weakness.
Action Against Companies
State Drug Controller Dr Manish Kapoor said action would be initiated against the companies whose samples failed quality tests under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
The concerned companies will be issued notices and directed to recall the failed drug batches from the market. The drug department will also conduct its own testing of samples from the companies to verify their quality and take further action as required
