Notices issued to erring firms, no clarity on Drugs Controller

Shimla, January 24

A day after 40 samples of drugs manufactured in Himachal were found sub-standard, Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil today said that notices had been issued to the erring firms. As for the companies whose samples have failed the quality test repeatedly, he said that they would not be allowed to continue manufacturing and would be asked to leave the state.

However, a Health Department official said that action could be taken only as per the provision of the relevant Act.

On the appointment of Drugs Controller, the minister said, “A lot of things are discussed when a person is appointed on a responsible post. Also, the government is busy doing several other things. The second senior-most official in the department has been given the charge.”

However, no written order was issued to give the officiating charge of Drugs Controller to any officer in the department till today evening. Asked if the government was considering reemploying the retired Drugs Controller, the minister replied in the negative. “There is no such plan, and we will make the appointment shortly,” he added.

The minister said that a board of directors would be formed to ensure that the medicines procured by the government were of the desired quality and standard. “If any shortcoming is noticed, the drug supply will be rejected. We are big exporters of medicines. Any kind of doubt on the quality of our drugs is not good for us,” he added.