NEW DELHI: Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and Drugs Control Directorate of West Bengal recently seized large quantities of anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and other drugs from a Kolkata-based company.
The seized drugs, labelled as being manufactured in various countries including Ireland, Turkey, the USA, and Bangladesh, were found without any supporting documents to prove their legitimate import into India.
The investigating team also discovered several empty packing materials, further raising concerns over authenticity of the seized products.
According to health ministry, a woman identified as proprietor of the wholesale firm has been arrested, and to ensure proper investigation, samples of the drugs have been sent for quality testing. “The remaining seized quantity is being kept in safe custody by CDSCO,” the health ministry said.
A court granted judicial custody of the arrested proprietor for 14 days and permitted further interrogation. Further investigation into the matter is ongoing, the ministry said .
The statement added that CDSCO and state authorities will continue to work in close coordination to combat the threat posed by spurious drugs and to safeguard the interests of consumers.
Recently, CDSCO introduced new guidelines for inspections. It stated that all drug inspectors in the country should collect at least 10 samples in a month; nine samples of drugs and one sample of cosmetics/medical device. It also said the drug inspectors must plan the sampling in such a way that samples are forwarded to the laboratory on the same day of sampling. In case of rural location or distant location to office, sample shall be forwarded to laboratory by next day and not later than that.
The new guidelines also provide for centralised information on sale outlets where sub-standard or spurious products are reported to keep them under regular vigilance.
