INDIA cancelled 18 pharma firms Licence
DUE DEATHS IN US and Gambia and Uzbekistan

Los Angeles, March 28, 2023
NRIpress.club/Ramesh/ A.Gary Singh

There are 203 firms; majority of these are from Himachal Pradesh (70), followed by Uttarakhand (45). In a major crackdown against the manufacture of substandard drugs. Central and state regulators conducted joint inspections at 76 pharma companies and cancelled the licences of 18 of them for producing spurious and adulterated drugs, official sources said on Tuesday.

The inspections were carried out across 20 states and Union territories in the past 15 days.

official said that the action has been taken against 76 companies in the first phase of a special drive against the manufacture of spurious drugs.

• "Licences of 18 pharma companies have been cancelled for manufacturing spurious and adulterated drugs and for violating GMP (good manufacturing practice).... Besides, 26 firms have been given show-cause notices and the product permission of three firms have been also cancelled,"
• As part of the special drive, the regulators have identified 203 firms. A majority of the companies are from Himachal Pradesh (70), followed by Uttarakhand (45) and Madhya Pradesh (23)

Recently, questions have been raised over the quality of drugs manufactured by India-based companies

• The Tamil Nadu-based Global Pharma Healthcare recalled its entire lot of eye drop allegedly linked to vision loss in the US.
• Before that, India-made cough syrups were allegedly linked to children deaths in the Gambia and Uzbekistan last year. 

Eye Drops has been associated with severe eye infections and should be discarded.Consumers are advised to stop using the following brands and return them to the place of purchase.

• Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops distributed by EzriCare, LLC and DELSAM Pharma. On Feb. 2, the FDA issued a warning not to use EzriCare Artificial Tears because of potential bacterial contamination. The over-the-counter product was associated with severe eye infections in 55 patients, including one death. The infections were caused by a drug-resistant bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

• Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution, 0.15%. Apotex Corp. initiated a voluntary recall for six lots of Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution on March 1 due to cracks in the caps. The prescription drops are used for patients with open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension. No infections have been associated with the product. 

• Purely Soothing 15% MSM Drops. The FDA announced on March 3 that Pharmedica USA was voluntarily recalling two lots of Purely Soothing Drops. This over-the-counter product is being recalled due to non-sterility. There have not been reports of illness or infection related to the product.
  
  
• In addition to drops, the FDA has also recalled Global Pharma Healthcare Artificial Eye Ointment due to possible bacterial contamination. No infections have been associated with this over-the-counter product.

“If you are using any of these specific products, stop,” said Gary D. Novack, a professor at UC Davis Health. Novack is a clinical pharmacologist with decades of experience in ophthalmic product development.

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