The Karnataka drugs control department has seized a total of 62 not-of-standard quality drugs. The inspections were carried out in July. The drugs were analysed at the state drug test labs which indicated lesser content of active ingredients, failing in disintegration and dissolution tests.

The drugs are included pain killers, gastro resistant controls, antibiotics among others. Some of these were Snigzole which is pantoprazole tablets manufactured by BRD Medilabs at Baddi in Himachal Pradesh; Pattzole- 40 which is also a pantoprazole tablet manufactured by Digital Vision at Sirmour in Himachal Pradesh; Stomcare 40 another pantoprazole tablet manufactured by Renowned Lifesciences in Haridwar in Uttarkhand; Ilaprazole proton pump inhibitor (PPI) used in the treatment of dyspepsia, peptic ulcer disease (PUD), gastroesophageal reflux disease manufactured by Solitaire Pharmacia in Baddi Himachal Pradesh; Astropan tablets also pantoprazole tablet manufactured by Sano Cito Therapeutics at Solan district in Himachal Pradesh.

There was Glow Alovera Soap manufactured by SRS Industries in Roorkee. Domiperidone and naxproxen sodium tablets manufactured by Pure and Cure Healthcare, Quick Care which contains diacerein, glucosamine and methysulfonylmethane for anti-rheumatoid drug used in the treatment of osteoarthritis and chronic inflammatory conditions manufactured by GMH laboratories at Baddi district in Himachal Pradesh. Hisolone -10 which contains prednisolone tablets was manufactured by Gopish Pharma in Solan district in Himachal Pradesh. Ribofen-600 mg which contains ibuprofen manufactured by Ridley Life Sciences, Aceclofenac tablets in 200 mg manufactured by Symbiosis Pharmaceuticals in Himachal Pradesh, Cefvel –O contains cefixime and ofloxacin manufactured by Legen Healthcare in Solan in Himachal Pradesh. Zorab containing raberprazole sodium which is a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to reduce stomach acid and is used for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) manufactured by Asterisk Healthcare. Nimesulide plus paracetamol which is an anti pyretic manufactured by Ruby Bio Pharma in Dehradun, Laver mouth wash containing chlorhexidine manufactured by Shivam Enterprises in Himachal Pradesh. Acera-20 which contains raberprazole sodium enteric coated capsules is a gastro resistant capsule manufactured by Creative Healthcare in Uttarkhand. Nile Plus which is an anti pyretic and pain killer manufactured by Nikvin Healthcare in Baddi in Himachal Pradesh. Dexamethasone tablets used to treat arthritis, blood/hormone/immune system disorders and allergic reactions is manufactured by Nikem Drugs at Indore in Madhya Pradesh.

These inspections are a regular practice. The drug samples are picked up at random. The need for this surprise checks is to ensure that quality drugs are circulated across the state, said Karnataka drugs controller BT Khanapure.

The department has also issued a public notice cautioning all hospitals and pharmacy outlets not to prescribe and sell these drugs. The public has also been warned not to purchase the same over-the counter, he added.