Jan Aushadhi: Drugs of 18 pharma firms ‘substandard’
New Delhi, June 16
The Bureau of Pharma PSUs of India (BPPI), which implements the Centre’s flagship affordable medicine scheme PMBJP, has found 25 batches of drugs of 18 pharmaceutical companies to be of substandard quality since January 2018, according to an official document.
While 17 of the 18 companies are private, one is a public sector unit (PSU) — Indian Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Limited (IDPL). The BPPI and the IDPL work under the Department of Pharmaceuticals of the Central Government.
Once the affordable generic drugs are procured from pharmaceutical companies by the BPPI, these are supplied to various Jan Aushadhi Kendras managed under the Pradhan Mantri Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP).
There are 4,677 Jan Aushadhi Kendras functional in the country (as on December 31, 2018). Batches of two drugs of AMR Pharma India Private Limited — anti-diabetic drug Voglibose and hypertension drug Telmisartan — were found to be substandard by the bureau since January 2018, according to the official document.
Batches of two drugs made by Modern Laboratories, Legen Healthcare, Ravian Life Science, Max Chem Pharmaceuticals, Theon Pharmaceuticals, Mascot Health Series and Terrace Pharmaceuticals were also found to be substandard by the BPPI.
Batch number PZT0917 of Pantoprazole — manufactured by IDPL — was found to be substandard during 2018, the document said. Pantoprazole is used to treat acid reflux and peptic ulcers.
Painkiller Nimesulide and anti-fever medicine Paracetamol of Navketan Pharma and Nestor Pharmaceuticals, respectively, were found to be substandard. Hypertension drug Enalapril and antibiotic drug Ciprofloxacin of Osmed Formulation and Hanuchem Laboratories were found to be substandard since January 2018. — PTI
Sale stopped
Sale and distribution of batches identified as ‘not of standard quality’ is stopped to all level like central warehousing, carrying and forwarding agent, distributor, Jan Aushadhi Kendras... — Sachin Singh, BPPI CEO
