The Drug Control Administration (DCA) has stopped 11 pharmaceutical manufacturing firms located in the pharmaceutical hub of Baddi, Barotiwala, Nalagarh, Sirmaur and Kangra districts after significant observations were detected in its functioning during risk-based inspections conducted recently.
State Drugs Controller Navneet Marwaha said, "In the last two months, 29 firms were inspected in the second phase of the joint inspection by the state DCA and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation."
“Due to critical deficiencies related to Schedule M of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, 11 industries have been asked to cease manufacturing operations, remaining 18 have been issued show cause notices. The firms have been asked to plug the loopholes,” he said.
DR Shandil, Health and Family Welfare Minister has said pharmaceutical units, samples of which were declared substandard for three times consecutively, would be sealed.
It is learned that critical observations such as non-functional air handling units and defunct laboratory equipment were detected in the micro-labs at these firms. Major issues like verification of machinery are also being examined as it is observed that many companies fail to ensure proper maintenance of their machinery, which adversely affects the quality of medicines.
Marwaha, however, said that the firms repeatedly appearing in the monthly alert list of substandard drugs are being monitored.
