The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Admnistration (FDA) has seized 26 drugs which are found to be not-of-standard quality in the month of September. Of which only three drugs are found to be not-of-standard quality in Maharashtra state. During its routine random sample testing in the state in September manufacturers from tax free state, Himachal Pradesh, accounts for major share with 14 not-of-standard drugs of the total 26 drugs.

Some of the drug companies alegedly manufactured these not-of-standard quality drugs include Indoco Remedies for oxipod 200, cefpodoxime proetil TAB IP from Gujarat, Alembic Pharmaceuticals for sharkoferrol, calcium-iron-vitamins supplement, Ankur Drugs and Pharma for pexoclav dry syrup, amoxycillin & POT. CLAV. ORAL SU, J M Remedies for lanmox-CL 625, amoxycillin trihydrate & potassium C, from Himachal Pradesh, GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals for Becadexamin from Karnataka, Akums Drugs and Pharmaceuticals amoxycillin and potassium CLAV. ORAL SUS. from Uttaranchal.

As per the latest data released by FDA, out of 26 such drugs, 14 were from Himachal Pradesh, four from Uttaranchal, three from Maharashtra, two from Gujarat and one each from Chandigarh, Karnataka and Punjab.

According to Mahesh Zhagade, commissioner of Maharashtra FDA these inspections are part of the regular checks. These drugs were tested randomly during a surprise inspection carried out by the FDA inspectors. It is vital to ensure that products are of good quality.

According to analysis carried out by the FDA under commissoner's guidance for the past three years, 7.14 per cent drugs are being distributed as not-of-standard quality in Maharashtra and from outside the state. Zhagade informed, “As per our analysis, we have found that only 2.67 per cent drugs are found to be of sub-standard quality which is three times less when compared to the other states.”

The other companies allegedly manufacturing these not-of standard quality drugs includes: Orison Pharmaceuticals from Chandigarh, Iscon Science from Gujarat, Affine Formulations, Affy Parentrals, Digital Vision, LifeVision, Saar Biotech, Sava Medica, Ultratech Pharmaceuticals and Unix Biotech from Himachal Pradesh, Austin Pharmaceuticals from Punjab, Brassica Pharmaceuticals & Chemicals, Cresent Therapeutics, MJ Biopharm from Thane, Maharashtra, HAB Pharmaceuticals & Research, Rivpara Formulations, Taurus Parentrals from Uttaranchal.

FDA has now issued note of caution to all hospitals, pharmacy trade and the public to refrain from prescribing, stocking and taking these drugs.