38 drugs manufactured in Himachal found substandard, used for conditions like BP, diabetes, heart attack

In a major revelation, 38 drugs, including those used for conditions such high blood pressure (BP), diabetes, heart attacks, asthma and fungal infections, have been found substandard in Himachal Pradesh.
A recent drug alert released in March has brought to light that these drugs fail to meet the required standards set by regulatory authorities. The alert states that a total of 103 drugs across the country, including 38 from Himachal, did not pass quality tests.

24 drugs manufactured in Solan district

The substandard drugs were sourced from multiple pharmaceutical companies in the state, including 24 samples from Solan, 13 from Sirmaur and one from Una district.

Notices will be issued to these companies and stocks of the affected drugs will be recalled from the market. Among the drugs that failed the quality test are those for treating conditions like acidity, sore throat, BP, asthma, heart attacks, fungal infections, tonsillitis, hemorrhoids, arthritis, asthma, sugar (diabetes), cough with mucus, fever, migraine, chest pain and nutrient deficiencies.

State Drug Controller Manish Kapoor stated that the companies whose drug samples failed would face administrative action. These companies will be charged under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and formal notices will be sent to them.

According to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), 47 samples were found substandard across the nation, with 21 samples coming from Himachal Pradesh.

Notable among the failed samples are:
• Martin & Brown, based in Kishanpura, Baddi, had six failed samples of drugs for acidity, asthma, eye irritation and low blood pressure.
• SBS Biotech, located in Kala Amb, failed its sample of the mental health drug, Palo Peridol.
• Three B Healthcare in Paonta Sahib saw its sample of Prescap SP Syrup for sore throat fail.
• Health Biotech, also in Baddi, failed its samples of Aminophylline (for heart conditions) and Bupivacaine (for numbing).
• Pushkar Pharma from Solan had a failed sample for its Line Zolid fungal infection drug.

Other companies like HGGs Healthcare (blood pressure drugs), Orison Pharma (hypertension medication), GoMasis (hemorrhoids) and Sunvet Healthcare (iron deficiency) had several of their products fail as well.
Additionally, several drugs from well-known companies like FarmaSci Health, Polestar Power Industries, Meeso Pharma and Wings Pharma were also flagged as substandard.

Sunil Chadha