Punjab-based drugmaker asked to stop manufacturing after samples found to be of non-standard quality: Govt

NEW DELHI, Aug 11 (PTI): A Punjab-based drugmaker was asked to stop all manufacturing activities
after samples collected from its premises, following an alert by the WHO, were found to be “not of
standard quality”, the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday.Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin
Pawar, in a written reply in the Lower House of Parliament, said the World Health Organization (WHO)
issued a medical product alert for a batch of India-made Guaifenesin syrup in the Marshall Islands and
the Federated States of Micronesia.
Subsequent to the reports, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in coordination
with State Drugs Authority, Punjab, conducted a joint investigation at M/s QP Pharmachem Ltd in
Punjab.
“Drug samples drawn from the manufacturing premises under the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics
Act, 1940 for test and analysis were declared as ‘not of standard quality’,” the minister said.
“Further, the State Licensing Authority has directed the firm to stop all manufacturing activities with
immediate effect,” Pawar said.
The WHO on April 25 issued a product alert over a batch of substandard (contaminated) Guaifenesin
syrup, warning that it is unsafe for use, especially in children, and may result in serious injury or death.
In response to a question on whether the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention of the United
States of America has expressed concern that a drug-resistant bacteria strain allegedly linked to eye
drops from India could gain a foothold in US healthcare settings, Pawar said, “No such report has been
received”.