FDCA shuts down 15 units

Talking to Express Newsline on Wednesday, FDCA commissioner S P Adeshara said that henceforth, licences would be granted only after ensuring the manufacturer had complete knowledge of the current good manufacturing practice and supporting documentary evidence. His letter to the IDMA also noted that the 8220;defaulting units ran in total absence of basic hygiene, safety of workers and public and any kind of sale/purchase records8221;.

Laboratory tests on samples, Adeshara said, revealed that the drugs often contained no active ingredients at all, while some had only 50 per cent of what their label claimed. Most samples were found to be grossly sub-standard, he said, adding, 8220;All this goes on with the connivance of the manufacturers8221;.

Though FDCA sources said the action was taken 8220;in the larger interest of public health8221;, the IDMA, however, was afraid that the closure of so many units in quick succession would tarnish the industry8217;s image outside the State.

IDMA chairman Dushyant Patel and secretary Ketan Naik, who have been apprised of the impending 8220;strict action8221; read revocation of licenses, while endorsing the action against the erring units, said it could also lead to harassment of genuine drugs manufacturers.