61 ayurvedic firms raided, makers rattled

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, September 19

Raids conducted by Ayurveda Department officials have rattled manufacturers in industrial areas like Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN), Kala Amb, Paonta Sahib and Solan.

Conducted on September 17 and 18, the raids were aimed at ensuring quality drug manufacturing in the ayurvedic units.

Eight units were found operating even after the expiry of their licence while 10 had not obtained the mandatory consent to operate from the State Pollution Control Board.

The raids were conducted by teams of officials comprising a drug inspector (DI) and two BAMS doctors, who were designated as DIs by the department. All 12 district ayurveda officers too have been designated as DIs.

Director, Ayurveda, Sanjeev Bhatnagar, said 61 units were raided. Eight units were operating with the expired licence while 21 had no fire certification. Ten others had not sought the mandatory consent from the State Pollution Control Board. Another 15 units had no means for the scientific disposal of waste generated from the manufacturing activities. Still worse, 13 lacked the due authorisation of their apparatus from the Weights and Measurement Department.

He said the raids were conducted to assess the compliance of GMP norms and the units, which were not adhering to the laid down procedures, would face action. These raids would ensure that quality drugs were manufactured and there would be no compromise on quality.

Eighteen drug inspectors, who were specially granted a two-day training at the directorate, would also conduct field inspections to ascertain the quality of drugs sold in the market, added Bhatnagar.

The officials inspected the manufacturing facilities and also pointed out the laxities. Since this was the first mass raids on ayurveda drug manufacturing units, the investors were anxious about its outcome as action against the erring units were likely to be taken after compilation of the reports.

A team spent nearly 3 or 4 hours and inspected various records, compliance of goods manufacturing norms, online procedures as well as quality aspects like the use of purified water for manufacturing drugs, said a production head of a unit at Baddi.

There were 125 ayurveda drug units in the state with 65 being located in the BBN area alone.

The state has renowned ayurveda drug manufacturers like Dabur, Shri Dhanwantri Herbals, Aimil Pharmaceuticals, Ozone Pharmaceuticals, Ayurvet Limited, etc. The compliance of the laid down norms is particularly the issue with small players.

Action after report compilation likely

• Raids were conducted on various units in Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh, Kala Amb, Paonta Sahib and Solan
• Teams inspect records, compliance of norms and quality aspects for manufacturing drugs
• Action against the erring units is likely to be taken after the compilation of reports