Crackdown on fake drugs: India cancels licenses of 18 pharma companies

The Indian government has taken strict action against 18 pharma companies for manufacturing and selling substandard and adulterated medicines, according to a report by Hindustan Times.

The licenses of these companies have been canceled permanently by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the national drug regulator.

Reasons for cancellation

The report said that the CDSCO had conducted raids and inspections at various manufacturing units of these companies across the country and found several violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940.

The violations included:

• Use of raw materials without testing
• Lack of quality control and assurance systems
• Falsification of records and documents
• Non-compliance with good manufacturing practices
• Manufacture of drugs without valid licenses

The report also said that some of these companies were making spurious medicines linked to child deaths in Uzbekistan and The Gambia. The World Health Organization (WHO) had issued global alerts against these medicines containing toxic substances like diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.

Impact of cancellation

The cancellation of licenses means that these companies cannot manufacture or sell any drugs in India or abroad. They will also face legal action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, which prescribes imprisonment up to life term and fine up to Rs 10 lakh for making spurious drugs.

The report quoted a senior CDSCO official as saying that the action was taken to protect public health and ensure the quality and safety of medicines in India. He also said that the CDSCO will continue to monitor and crack down on erring pharma companies in the future.

List of canceled companies

The report did not name all the 18 companies whose licenses were canceled, but mentioned some of them as follows:

1. Marion Biotech Pvt Ltd (Uttar Pradesh)
2. Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd (Himachal Pradesh)
3. Shree Ganesh Remedies Ltd (Gujarat)
4. Shreeji Pharma International (Gujarat)
5. Medley Pharmaceuticals Ltd (Maharashtra)
6. Sunrise International Labs Ltd (Telangana)

The report also said that some of these companies have challenged the cancellation order in courts, and are awaiting their verdicts.