The Karnataka Drugs Control Department has seized 12 drugs which have been found to be not-of-standard quality. The Government Analyst Lab in Bengaluru, drug test lab at Hubli and Bellary have tested the drugs and declared that they were not fit for prescription by the medical practitioners as they did not contain the required quantities of the active ingredients. The inspections were carried out by the enforcement teams between May 25 to June 25, 2012.

The drugs which have been declared not-of-standard quality include Gentacil injection, (Gentamycin injection IP) manufactured by Redson Laboratories, Gujarat, Visda –B6 tablets (Doxylamine Succinate & Pyridoxine HCL) by Arion Healthcare in Solan district, Ropraj (Rabeprazole Sodium) tablet manufactured by CS Cam Healthcare, Deharadun, Uttarakhand and Panto -40 (Pantoprazole) tablets manufactured by Orisan Pharmaceuticals Ambala Cantt, Haryana.

The list also includes A Star P which is a non-steroidal anti inflammatory drug (NSAID) known as Aceclofenac (paracetamol) tablets manufactured by MD AR Jones Lab Pvt. Ltd. Haridwar, Uttarakhand, Ocid DSAR  manufactured by Life Vision Healthcare Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, Single dose Remoxid (amoxicillin + clavulanic acid) manufactured by Tevalite Pharma in Pune, diclofenac potassium and paracetamol by J Laboratories in Paonta Sahib, Dextrose injection by Sri Anand Life Sciences, Pantoprazole tablets by LV Life Sciences, Solan, Tincture iodine IP 66 by Sovereign Remedies at Indore and Salbutamol Sulfate tablets by Soul Healthcare (India) in Uttarakhand.

Dr BR Jagashetty, drugs controller, government of Karnataka said that the regular inspections help to ensure that not-of-standard quality drugs are not in circulation at the pharmacy outlets. Surprise checks are mandated to ensure that manufacturers are cautious in their production practices. The state drugs department has also 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 across the state.

Drugs found to be not-of-standard quality are those having the medicinal content below 70 per cent for thermo liable products and below five per cent of the permitted limits for the thermo stable products, stated pharma industry researchers.

Now with the department opting for the electronic dispatch mode and networking, it provides faster and instant transmission of reports. The utilization of small message service (SMS) would immediately inform the pharmacy trade outlets and the manufacturers on the status of the drug contents. “These are the department’s efforts to maintain an open environment which could only create ample integrity among inspectors, lab technicians and stakeholders,” stated Dr Jagashetty.