Just two days after Health Minister Colonel Dhaniram Shandil issued a stern warning to pharmaceutical companies over repeated failures in quality checks, a shocking revelation has put the spotlight on Himachal Pradesh’s drug manufacturing industry.
Out of 90 drug samples found substandard nationwide, 38 were produced in Himachal Pradesh. This has prompted the state government to initiate licence cancellation procedures and recall stocks of the faulty medicines, intensifying scrutiny on the state’s pharmaceutical sector, which accounts for a significant portion of India’s drug production.
20 companies under scrutiny
The Health Minister had disclosed that 20 pharmaceutical companies in the state had come under the scanner for failing to meet quality standards repeatedly. Shandil emphasised the government’s resolve to safeguard the state’s reputation, declaring that companies whose two or more drug samples fail will face blacklisting.
He stated, “The repeated failures of these manufacturers tarnish Himachal Pradesh’s image as a pharmaceutical hub. Strict action is necessary to ensure quality.”
Major companies named in failures
Prominent drug manufacturers have been named in the recent quality failure, with their medicines failing tests conducted by the State Drug Controller and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation. Among the flagged drugs are Doxine’s tonsillitis medicine Sepkem, Chiros Pharma’s infection medicine Cefoprox and Tas Med’s epilepsy drug Divalproex.
In addition, Baddi-based companies like Morpen Laboratories and Wing Biotech faced similar allegations, with key medications for asthma and fever failing the prescribed standards. Drugs for life-threatening conditions such as infections, blood pressure and respiratory diseases were also part of the substandard batches, raising serious safety concerns for patients.
Stock recall and licence cancellation initiated
State Drug Controller Manish Kapoor confirmed that notices had been issued to all erring companies and processes for licence cancellations had begun. The state government has also directed the immediate recall of substandard drug stocks from the market. Kapoor said, “We are taking stringent steps to ensure only safe and effective medicines reach consumers. The focus is on maintaining public health and the credibility of the industry.”
This crackdown comes at a time when Himachal Pradesh’s pharmaceutical industry is under intense scrutiny. With the state supplying a significant volume of drugs to both domestic and international markets, the recent lapses have triggered alarm bells, highlighting gaps in regulatory enforcement.
Government to intensify monitoring
In response to the issue, the Health Minister has instructed drug department officials to ramp up inspections and monitor compliance rigorously. Shandil’s warning to manufacturers reiterated that failure of two or more samples would invite immediate action, including suspension of operations.
He added, “This is a wake-up call for the entire industry. Ensuring quality must be the top priority for every manufacturer.”
As Himachal Pradesh attempts to balance its role as a pharmaceutical hub with stringent regulatory oversight, the state government’s proactive steps aim to restore faith in its drug manufacturing ecosystem. The recent developments underline the urgency of reform in quality control processes to prevent further damage to the state’s reputation and public health risks.
