The Kerala drug control department has detected a few batches of drugs supplied to the Government hospitals in the state by the Mumbai based Ceron Drugs and Pharmaceuticals (Pvt.) Ltd., following sample tests at the state drug control laboratory revealed the drugs were of inferior quality.

The banned drugs include Elthro - 100 suspension (erythromycin stearate suspension) of batch numbers 0056507, 0036430, 0086560, 0026386, 0046431, 00765591, 0066508 and 0016385 manufactured and supplied by Ceron Pharmaceuticals to the various state government hospitals.

The drug control department also found turpentine oil B.P. of batch numbers 004258, 002256, 001255, 003257 and 005259, repacked and supplied to the Government hospitals by the same company were of substandard quality and not suitable for medical use. According to the state drug control department sources, the company would have to withdraw the batches and the department might soon initiate necessary action.

It is to be noted last week Pharmabiz had reported the drug control department would soon initiate elaborate inspection of drugs supplied to the Government hospital sector and to blacklist pharmaceutical companies supplying substandard drugs. Drug Inspectors were directed to frequently check Government run hospital pharmacies, including those at medical colleges, district, taluk and public health centres in the state and each Drug Inspector was given a target of 30 samples from the Government run hospital pharmacies. The move was based on information on widespread presence of substandard drugs supplied through the Government hospitals, malpractices and pilferage of medicines from the Government hospital pharmacies, said sources.