54 pharmaceutical samples from Himachal Pradesh companies have failed quality tests as part of a nationwide drug alert where 143 medicines failed to meet standards. The failed samples include critical medications for infections, fever, blood pressure, and other serious health conditions, prompting immediate market recalls.
The July drug alert results released in August show Solan district leading with 41 failed samples, followed by Sirmaur with six, Kangra with five, and Una with two company samples failing quality standards. Some companies recorded multiple failures, with one Baddi company alone having five failed samples.
The failed medications cover a wide range of treatments including antibiotics, blood pressure medicines, pain relievers, eye and ear drops, epilepsy drugs, and vitamin supplements. Among the prominent failures are Elficaire Company’s Gaba Pantin Capsule IP-300 with four failed samples, Biojenetic Life Science’s three failed Brufen samples, and multiple calcium and vitamin D-3 formulations from various manufacturers.
Major companies affected include established names like Kalinga Healthcare, Reventis Healthcare, Saint Cure Private Limited, Morepen Company, and Hindustan Antibiotics Limited. The failures span across key pharmaceutical hubs including Baddi, Jhadmajri, Nalagarh, Parwanoo, and other industrial centers in the state.
“Companies whose samples have failed will be issued notices demanding explanations. Additionally, complete stock will be recalled from the market. The department will take action against concerned companies as per regulations,” said State Drug Controller Manish Kapoor.
The extensive list includes medications from Watts Pharma in Solan, Roma Pharma in Nagali, NDB Company in Parwanoo, and Laboret Pharmaceutical in Paonta Sahib, among others. Products ranging from basic paracetamol tablets to specialized cardiac and neurological medications have been found substandard.
This quality crisis raises serious concerns about manufacturing processes and regulatory oversight in Himachal Pradesh’s pharmaceutical sector, which is a major contributor to the state’s economy. The Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh belt, in particular, houses hundreds of pharmaceutical companies that supply medicines across India and internationally.
The recall affects patients currently using these medications, who are advised to consult healthcare providers for alternatives. The regulatory action underscores the need for enhanced quality control measures and stricter monitoring of pharmaceutical manufacturing in the state.
Investigation into the manufacturing processes at affected companies is expected to follow, with regulatory authorities likely to implement enhanced quality monitoring protocols to prevent future failures.
