Karnataka drugs control department has seized 26 drugs which are found to be not of standard quality. The inspections were carried out early this month where the department’s enforcement wing made surprise checks picking up drug samples at random from pharmacy outlets.
The 26 drugs failed the tests carried out by the department’s labs in Bengaluru, Hubballi and Belagavi. Six drug test reports released showed that alprazolam tablets manufactured by Chimak Helathcare in Solan district, raberprazole sodium tablets of Cian Health Care at Hardiwar in Uttarkhand, doxylamine succinate, folic acid and pyridoxine sold under the brand name Megsafe manufactured by Meridian Medicare in Solan, aceclofenac paracetamol and serratiopeptidase tablets sold under brand name Fas Track SP produced by Spen Formulations in Una district of Himachal Pradesh, CC Cap NF softgels containing chlorpheniramine maleate, dextromethorphan hydrobromide and phenyleprine hydrochloride capsules manufactured by Alpha Products at Solan, Enema manufactured by Ravi Pharmaceuticals in Khambar in Gujarat are not of standard quality.
On April 6, the drugs control department issued a list of 20. These are Metrozol 400 manufactured by Modi Lifescare at Odhav in Gujarat, Cefixime & Orindazole tablets manufactured by DM Pharma at Solan district in Himachal Pradesh, Fenak which is a diclofenac sodium injection manufactured by Nitin Life Sciences in Himachal Pradesh, Neurovid which is for diabetic neuropathy contains methylcobalamine, alpha lipoc acid, vitamin B 6 and folic acid manufactured by Siemen Laboratories in Haridwar, Redura LSR by Cosmas Pharmacals in Himachal Pradesh, omeprazole capsules by Devbhoomi Pharmaceuticals in Haridwar, Odipan 40 which contains pantoprazole by Solitare Pharmacia in Baddi, Jopan tablets containing pantoprazole by Symbio Pharmaceuticals in Himachal Pradesh and Vezole containing rabeprazole sodium tablets by Veras Pharmaceutical in Andhra Pradesh, Drome X containing alpha lipoic acid, biotin, benfotiamine and inositol capsules in Medzone Pharma at Puducherry, Nervglo manufactured by Raffles Pharmaceuticals in Andhra Pradesh, Tram-MF tablets by Oscar Remedies in Himachal Pradesh, diclofenac potassium and serratiopeptidase tablets manufactured by Care Well Health Care in Moraiya district, Ahmedabad, Pantoxel -40 containing pantoprazole manufactured by Sun Ridges Healthcare in Puducheryy, Hexim dry syrup containing cefuroxime axetil for oral suspension manufactured by Ultratech Pharmaceuticals in Solan district in Himachal Pradesh and magaldrate simethicone and sodium which is a carboxymethyicellulose oral suspension manufactured by Samson Laboratories in Solan district in Himachal Pradesh.
According to the Karnataka drugs controller Raghurama Bhandary, the regular inspections would enable keeping substandard drugs at bay. The drugs are manufactured mainly in northern India’s excise free zones which are found wanting in good manufacturing practices and quality checks.
“We have intimated and cautioned all hospitals, clinics and nursing homes to avoid prescribing and alerted the public to ensure that they do not purchase these brands. Besides, pharmacy outlets in the state have been informed not to sell these drugs,” he added.