Batch of drugs from Noida district hospital fail quality test, seized

A routine investigation by a central lab in Lucknow revealed the drugs were sub-standard. “Amoxicillin content was found to meet the required 90% standard. But the amount of Potassium Clavulanate, which enhances the drug’s effectiveness, was at 81%, which should be 90%,” he said.

“The drug poses no harm, the reduced potency means it’s less effective,” he said. He also said the remaining stock has been seized and further distribution of available stock halted.

“Once the results indicated a problem, swift action was taken to halt further distribution. We have issued a notice to the hospital’s store in-charge, and further action is being initiated against the supplier,” he said.

“We ceased distribution of the antibiotics and returned the remaining stock to the supplier,” said the Chief Medical Superintendent (CMS), District Hospital, Gautam Budh Nagar, Dr Renu Agarwal.

“The hospital is committed to ensuring only high-quality, effective medications are provided to those in our care,” she said. “We had procured around 8,000 tablets of the antibiotic and distributed them to the patients in the last 45 days. The unused portion of the stock is being returned to the supplier,” she said.