Pharma unit in Baddi caught manufacturing drugs illegally

Caring little for government directives, M/s YL Pharma of Katha village in the Baddi industrial area was found illegally manufacturing drugs despite being under official stop-manufacturing orders since March this year. The firm’s activities came to light after the Rajasthan Drugs Control Administration (DCA) alerted its Himachal Pradesh counterparts about a spurious drug sample traced back to the company.

The alert was triggered when analytical tests on Levocetirizine tablets, marketed under the brand name Wincet-L (Batch No. YLT25023), revealed nil active content. The anti-allergic medicine, commonly prescribed for seasonal allergies, was declared ‘Not of Standard Quality’ (NSQ). The batch carried a manufacturing date of March 2025 and an expiry of February 2027.

Acting swiftly, the Himachal DCA formed a team of Drug Inspectors and conducted a surprise raid at YL Pharma’s premises earlier today. Confirming the development, State Drugs Controller Dr Manish Kapoor said the firm had already been on the department’s radar for regulatory violations and was ordered to stop production on March 29. A recent joint inspection by the DCA and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) had found the unit non-operational, but preliminary investigations now suggest that it secretly resumed production in violation of the ban.

“The Department has initiated strong action, including possible seizure of the illegally manufactured drugs,” Dr Kapoor stated. “The government has a zero-tolerance policy toward such malpractices, and strict legal action, including licence cancellation, will follow if violations are confirmed.”

Officials also credited improved inter-state regulatory coordination, strengthened after Himachal hosted a recent northern states’ regulatory meet, for exposing the racket. The case underscores how certain rogue manufacturers continue to flout norms, endangering public health for profit.