Karnataka drugs control department has seized over 50 not-of-standard quality drugs during surprise inspections conducted across chemists in the state. The inspections were carried over two weeks here in October. The test reports were disbursed to the respective manufactures in November end.

The drugs are Drotapro injection manufactured by Himalaya Mediteck at Dehradun, Valatrol siftules which contain calcitriol, calcium with zinc capsules manufactured by Eastern Healthcare at Haridwar, pantoprazole tablets or Pantox -40 manufacured by Care Well Helathcare at Changodar district, Ahmedabad. Glycopyrrolate injection manufactured by Samarth Life Scinces at Baddi. Ciprox or ciprofloxacin injection manufactured by Claris Ostuka at Talsanand district, Ahmedabad. Dexamethasone sodium phosphate injection manufactured at Bio-Medica Labs at Indore.

Prowad D pantoprazole and domperidone tablets were manufactured by Dips Bioscience at Satara in Karad. Oncon-4 or ondansetron dispersible tablets was manufactured by Tulbros Formulations at Uttarkhand. Delpara which contains paracetamol with acetaminiphen and caffeine was manufactured by Lycon Healthcare at Uttarkhand. Fenbovet was manufactured by International Healthcare at Vijayawada. Olesoft which is a formulated bathing bar manufactured at Anuspaa Heritage Products at Himachal Pradesh. Cold-off which are anti cold capsules containing chlorpheniramin maleate and phenylephrine hydrochloride capsules is manufactured by Pro-Pharma Care at Uttarkhand. Ketofast containing ketoconazole which is a soap manufactured by BCL Pharma at Himachal Pradesh was found to be of not of standard quality. Levokin M tablets containing montelukast and levocetrizine manufactured by Symbiosis Pharmaceuticals at Himachal Pradesh were some of the drugs found to be substandard in quality and failed to have the ingredients in the right combination.

The drug samples were picked up at random by the drug enforcement team from chemists at random. These were then sent in for analysis to the drug test labs.

The department already has a robust infrastructure in place with three drug test labs: one each at Bengaluru, Hubballi and Ballari. Moreover, the Bengaluru drug test lab has renewed its NABL certification and the other two facilities are working towards achieving the same accreditation to maintain high quality standards in validation and generation of test reports. Empowered with the required technical capabilities, its enforcement team ensures continuous vigilance on the quality of drugs circulated in the market, said Karnataka drugs controller Bhagoji T Khanapure.

The department has now communicated to the companies on the not-of-standard quality. It has also communicated to the pharmacy outlets across the state and the hospitals to ensure these drugs are not stocked and prescribed. Public has also been forewarned not to purchase these drugs over-the-counter.