Drugs, sanitisers found substandard

Solan, December 15

Hand sanitisers manufactured by two firms in Himachal were declared not of standard quality (NSQ) besides three other drugs in the monthly alert issued today by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

An ethyl alcohol isopropyl alcohol-based xerorub hand santiser manufactured at Sansarpur Terrace in Kangra district and isopropyl rubbing alcohol-based hand sanitiser manufactured at Baddi have been declared not of standard quality. Both were tested by the regional drug testing lab at Chandigarh.

As per the alert, the content of the requisite alcohol was less than the designated level and presence of impurities was detected besides the appropriate Ph level failing to be maintained.

“It is important to maintain the quality of sanitisers. Its samples are regularly drawn to check their quality as its use has increased in the Covid pandemic. Batches of drugs and sanitisers, which have been declared NSQ, would be withdrawn from the market and requisite intervention would be undertaken to ensure production of quality drugs,” informed State Drug Controller, Navneet Marwaha.

Out of the 14 drugs declared NSQ in various states, five pertain to Himachal. This includes three drugs manufactured in Nalagarh. They comprise pheniramine maleate, pregabalin and methylcobalamin capsules and telmisartan tablets manufactured at Khera village in Nalagarh.

The state Drugs Control Department had drawn samples in four cases while one drug sample was lifted by the CDSCO, Kolkata. — TNS