QP Pharmachem asked to stop manufacturing after samples found to be of non-standard quality: Govt

Written by Ruchika Sharma Published On 2023-08-12T13:30:55+05:30 | Updated On 26 Oct 2023 4:33 PM IST

QP Pharmachem asked to stop manufacturing after samples found to be of non-standard quality: Govt

New Delhi: A Punjab-based drugmaker was asked to stop all manufacturing activities after samples collected from its premises, following an alert by the WHO, were found to be "not of standard quality", the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday. Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar, in a written reply in the Lower House of Parliament, said the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a medical product alert for a batch of India-made Guaifenesin syrup in the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia.

Subsequent to the reports, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in coordination with State Drugs Authority, Punjab, conducted a joint investigation at M/s QP Pharmachem Ltd in Punjab.

"Drug samples drawn from the manufacturing premises under the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 for test and analysis were declared as 'not of standard quality'," the minister said.

"Further, the State Licensing Authority has directed the firm to stop all manufacturing activities with immediate effect," Pawar said.

The WHO on April 25 issued a product alert over a batch of substandard (contaminated) Guaifenesin syrup, warning that it is unsafe for use, especially in children, and may result in serious injury or death.

In response to a question on whether the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States of America has expressed concern that a drug-resistant bacteria strain allegedly linked to eye drops from India could gain a foothold in US healthcare settings, Pawar said, "No such report has been received"

Medical Dialogues team had reported that the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) had notified all drug manufacturers' associations and exporters not to submit the same batch of cough syrup to more than one laboratory at a time, as this practice is highly objectionable and not acceptable from a regulatory standpoint.

WHOworld health organisationBharati Pravin PawarGuaifenesin syrupQP Pharmachem

Source : with inputs

Ruchika Sharma

Ruchika Sharma joined Medical Dialogue as an Correspondent for the Business Section in 2019. She covers all the updates in the Pharmaceutical field, Policy, Insurance, Business Healthcare, Medical News, Health News, Pharma News, Healthcare and Investment. She has completed her B.Com from Delhi University and then pursued postgraduation in M.Com. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in Contact no. 011-43720751