Following the instruction from the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to the State Licensing Authorities to withdraw permission to the drugs having same brand name of ‘AZ’ but with different ingredients, as many as 13 other formulations under this category have been banned in different places so far.

The DCGI, in his order dated February 2, had specifically asked the State drug controllers to ban Cetirizine, manufactured by Sienna Formulations Pvt. Limited, Vadodara, Gujarat, Albendazone, manufactured by Cure Quick Pharma, Karnal, Haryana and Azithromycin, manufactured by Eugenics, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.

Of the 13 formulations for which permission was withdrawn include two out of the three listed by the DCGI. ‘Zocor Dry Syrup,’ ‘Zocor Drops’ & ‘Zocor-125’ -- manufactured by Per Pharmaceuticals at Panchkula, ‘Neogest-50’ and ‘Neogest-100’ manufactured by Oscar Remedies Pvt. Ltd of Baddi, ‘Metagesic Suspension’ and ‘Metagesic Plus Syrup’ manufactured by Amree Pharmaceuticals of Karnal, ‘AZ suspension’ (Albendazole Suspension) manufactured by Cure Quick Pharmaceuticals of Karnal, ‘AZ tablets’ manufactured by R H Laboratories of Sirmour in HP. (Marketed by Cure Quick Pharma, Karnal, Haryana), ‘AZ Suspensions’ manufactured by the same R H Laboratories (Marketed by Cure Quick Pharma), ‘Calcimax’ manufactured by Alps Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd of Almora (brand of Meyer Organics Pvt. Ltd.), ‘Col-Q’ manufactured by G S Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd of Roorkee (brand of Blue Cross Laboratories), and ‘AZ Tablet – Cetirizine’ manufactured by Sienna Formulations Pvt. Ltd, Vadodara, Gujarat, were thus ordered to be withdrawn by the respective State authorities.

“State drug control authorities have been requested to remain vigilant while granting licenses for manufacture of drugs and withdraw permissions in cases of same brand names being used for different drugs,” according to the official sources.

Apart from ordering the withdrawal of ‘AZ’ brand which was being used for cetrizine, albendazole, azithromycin and alprazolam, the DCGI has also advised the States to check for other such cases which would create confusion at the consumers' end.

“Keeping in view of the seriousness of matter and confusion it may create at consumer end, all concerned drug controllers are requested to withdraw the permission of AZ brand on top priority and permission may be granted under any other suitable brand name. If there are other similar cases of same brand names for different drugs, they may also be withdrawn from the market in public interest to avoid confusion,” the order had said.

This was part of the measures being taken to bridle the companies from using the same popular brands even with different ingredients, which has come under the scanner of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority also some time back. The NPPA had also asked the Health Ministry to amend necessary laws to check this practice, especially by some companies who would change the ingredients to dodge the price control mechanism.