Karnataka Drug Control Department has seized 24 not of standard quality drugs in an inspection drive conducted between April 27 to May 20. This is part of the Department's routine exercise to track the quality of pharmaceutical products in the market. The department has issued notices to the pharma companies which have been engaged in the production of these drugs.

The 24 drugs include: Domal AR (rabeprazole and domperidone tablets) manufactured by Grig Formulations in Baddi, Ampef D (omeprazole and domperidone capsules by Pinnacle Life Sciences, Solan  Himachal Pradesh, diclofenac injection by Hindustan Pharmaceuticals’ in Bihar, Klor-con (potassium chloride) by Himalaya Medicals, Deharadun, Resveratrol by Intervet in Pune.

The drugs were tested at the department’s drug test lab to ascertain the content of the drug and its quality standards. The companies engaged in the production of these drugs have now been directed to rectify the manufacturing processes.

According to Dr BR Jagashetty, drugs controller, the frequent checks keep not-of-standard quality drugs at bay. Surprise inspections are mandated to ensure that manufacturers are cautious in their production practices. The  drugs department has sent notes of caution to the 25,500 chemists and wholesalers apart from the hospitals and the public to refrain from stocking and prescribing these drugs.

According to a section of scientists, drugs found to be not-of-standard quality contains active pharmaceutical ingredients below 70 per cent for thermo liable products and below five per cent of the permitted limits for the thermo stable products.

Now with the department opting for the electronic dispatch mode and networking, it provides speedy transmission of reports. The use of SMS would instantly inform the pharmacy outlets and the manufacturer on the status of the drug contents. “These are the department’s efforts to maintain an open environment which could only create integrity among inspectors, lab technicians and other stakeholders,” stated Dr Jagashetty.