The Karnataka drugs control department has detected a slew of drugs that are not-of-standard quality which are in the market. The drugs were picked up at random by the department’s enforcement team during their surprise checks at pharmacy outlets across the state.
 
The 44 drugs found to be of not-of-standard quality were tested at the drugs test labs coming under the department in the last three weeks. The drugs included brands like Shivix-200 containing cefixime manufactured by Rachil Pharma in Himachal Pradesh, Kelvin containing paracetamol manufactured by Leben Labs in Akola, Maharashtra, Nelnac 200 sustained release containing aceclofenac manufactured by Noel Pharma in Solan district, Dolstar in tramdol-paracetamol combination manufactured by Relief Biotech in Rookee in Uttarakhand, FITE 200 mg containing cefpodoxime-proxetil manufactured by Horizon Bioceuticals in Sirmour district, Himachal Pradesh, Paraset 650 containing paracetamol manufactured by Symbiosis Pharmaceuticals in Himachal Pradesh, and paracetamol injection manufactured by Weismanna Healthcare in Andhra Pradesh.

“The department carries out inspections and it is mandated to ensure quality drugs are sold at the outlets”, said Bhagoji T Khanapure, Karnataka drugs controller.

In order to prevent the circulation of these not-of-standard quality drugs in the market, the drug control department has signalled the hospitals and the chemists to avoid prescribing and stocking these drugs respectively. Further it has also informed the public to ensure they do not purchase these drugs, he added.

According to industry observers, majority of the drugs are manufactured at the former excise free zones in the northern parts of the country. In these areas, there is poor monitoring of quality manufacturing practices.
 
“At times drug fails quality tests because of poor quality of the active pharmaceutical ingredients. There are also instances of poor refrigerated transportation system which hamper the potency of the drugs,” they added.