The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), as a part of its routine random inspections of drugs marketed in the state, has seized 14 drugs which have been found as not-of-standard drugs in the month of July. Himachal Pradesh accounts for the major share with nine of the total 14 not-of-standard drugs during this period.

The FDA will also be taking action against the manufacturer of jointex tablets for not printing the name and address of the manufacturer on the label of the drugs. Under Drugs & Cosmetics Act (D&C Act), the name and address of manufacturer on the label of sample is mandatory.  However according to FDA sources, the jointex tablets is an ayurvedic drug which is useful for joint pain and pack of the tablets does not mention manufacturer's name and address in prescribed manner and therefore considered as misbranded.

The drug samples of the well known manufacturers which have been found as not-of-standard quality includes: HI-FE XT ferrous ascorbate and folic acid tablets manufactured by Galpha Laboratories, Pre pro KID for paediatric use and Lactobacil plus sachets manufactured by Swiss Garnier Life Sciences from Himachal Pradesh, Pesolen-5 tablets manufactured by Numech Laboratories from Madhya Pradesh and Encarmin Syrup manufactured by Eskag Pharma from Uttaranchal.

As per the latest data released by FDA, out of 14 such drug samples, nine were from Himachal Pradesh, two from Uttaranchal and one each from Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Products of companies of which the samples are less than the permissible limits include: HI-FE XT ferrous ascorbate and folic acid tablets from Galpha Laboratories, Ferich-XT, ferrous Ascorbate and folic acid tablets from Associated Biotech, Pre pro KID for paediatric use and Lactobacil plus sachets from Swiss Garnier Life Sciences, Xime Clav dry syrup (Cefixime and potassium clavula) from Ultratech Pharmaceuticals, Rebal D tablets and Serkas Suspension from Unispeed Pharmaceuticals.

The products of other companies declared as not-of standard quality drug samples include: Associated Biotech, Digital Vision, Galpha Laboratories, Rahul Pharmaceuticals, Swiss Garnier Life Sciences, Ultratech Pharmaceuticals, Unispeed Pharmaceuticals from Himachal Pradesh, Numech Healthcare from Madhya Pradesh, Baba Ayurved Pharmacy from Rajasthan, Eskag Pharma Pvt Ltd and G S Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd from Uttaranchal.

The state FDA routinely picks up random samples of drugs from chemists and druggists and send them for testing.