Fake Veterinary Drugs Supplied in UP, Probe Ordered

Lucknow: A major quality lapse has come to light in Uttar Pradesh after deworming medicines supplied to the State Animal Husbandry Department were found to be fake and not meeting prescribed standards. Authorities have immediately stopped further distribution of the affected batch and initiated steps to blacklist the supplier.

The medicines involved, Fenbendazole IP 1000 mg and Niclosamide IP 1500 mg, had been distributed to multiple districts as part of routine livestock deworming drives. Concerns were raised after field reports indicated that the drugs were not delivering expected results. Acting on these complaints, officials collected samples from a batch identified as EMVB-24296 and sent them for laboratory analysis in Agra.

Test results confirmed that the medicines failed to comply with required quality parameters, prompting swift administrative action. The Animal Husbandry Department directed all district veterinary offices to immediately stop using the specified lot and return any remaining stock to the polyclinic superintendent in Lucknow.

Deworming treatments are typically administered to livestock twice annually to prevent parasitic infections and maintain animal health. Experts warn that ineffective or counterfeit drugs can adversely affect cattle and other livestock, potentially leading to reduced productivity and financial setbacks for farmers reliant on dairy and meat production.

The consignment had reportedly been supplied by a pharmaceutical firm based in Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh. Following the laboratory findings, departmental authorities have begun proceedings to blacklist the company and launched a detailed inquiry into the procurement and supply chain process. According to a recent media report in The420.in, the department is also examining possible lapses in verification mechanisms that allowed the batch to be cleared for distribution.

Officials are reviewing existing quality control protocols and considering stricter pre-dispatch testing measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents. The case has sparked concerns over monitoring standards in government veterinary medicine procurement and distribution systems.