In a recent drug alert issued for the month of May, alarming findings have emerged regarding the quality of medicines produced in Himachal Pradesh as seven samples have been found to be of substandard quality.
A total of 50 medicines sourced from across the country, including the seven from Himachal Pradesh, have been flagged for failing to meet regulatory standards.
According to reports, samples of medicines intended for treating various ailments such as infections, high blood pressure, muscle weakness, fever, ulcer and cough were found to be substandard in the state. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation conducted inspections and sampling exercises nationwide, revealing significant deficiencies in several drug formulations.
Among the substandard medicines from Himachal Pradesh are:
1. Cefixime (infection medicine) from Amester Lab Company, located in Jharmajri industrial area, Solan district
2. Carvedilol (high blood pressure medicine) from Vidyashay Pharmaceutical Company, situated in Kala Amb, Sirmaur
3. Neostigmine Methyl (muscle weakness medicine) from Health Biotech Company, based in Sandoli, Baddi, Solan
4. Diphenhydramine (fever medicine) from Kaspen Pharmaceutical Company, located in Kala Amb, Sirmaur
5. Rabiprozol (ulcer medicine) from VIP Pharmaceutical Company, situated in Manpura, Baddi, Solan
6. Telmisartan (high blood pressure medicine) from Swish Games Biotech Company, Una
7. Acetylcysteine Abroxol (cough medicine) from MDC Pharmaceutical Company, located in Sai Road, Baddi
State Drug Controller Manish Kapoor confirmed the findings, stating that notices had been issued to the pharmaceutical companies whose products did not meet the required standards.
These companies have been instructed to initiate a recall of the affected batches from the market. Additionally, the state drug department will independently sample these medicines to verify their quality.
