DFCO identifies 20 sub-standard drugs across J&K

Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Feb 7: The Drug and Food Control Organization (DFCO) has identified nearly 20 sub-standard drugs across Jammu and Kashmir in one year until December 2022 even as the majority of such samples have been lifted from Kashmir Division. The samples also include 3 from the J&K Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL) supply and one from SKIMS hospital supply.
As per details available with Excelsior, 15 such samples, which were later declared sub-standard, were lifted from various locations across Kashmir while only 5 such samples, which later turned out to be sub-standard, have been lifted from the Jammu division.
The drugs which have been declared sub-standard include Olmisave AM-40 Tablets, lifted by DCO Sopore / Rafiabad, has turned out that the sample does not conform to the claim as per Patent & Proprietary in respect to the Assay; Rare-D, lifted by DCO Kulgam, as per details, does not conform to the I.P requirements with respect to the Disintegration test; Hexomide, lifted from Srinagar, it has been found that the contents of Chlorhexidine and Cetrimide in the sample were Nil; Compound Sodium Lactate Inj I.P, which is a JKMSCL Hospital Supply, has not complied to the test for Sterility; Meroin (1gm) Injection lifted from Zone II Jammu, as per details, has failed in the tests for Uniformity of Weight and Assay Contents of Meropenem.
Further, Compound Sodium lactate Injection I.P, which is again a JKMSCL Hospital Supply, lifted from Zone V Srinagar, has been given out, did not comply with the test for Sterility; Majocid Gel Suspension, lifted from Ganderbal, it has been stated, also did not conform to i.p requirement concerning Assay of Magnesium Hydroxide & Dried Aluminium Hydroxide; Pica-40, lifted from Pulwama HQ, the details given state that the sample does not conform to the IP requirements concerning Dissolution Test; Glitip-2 Forte, lifted from Bishnah/ Zone III, as per details, the sample fails in the assay contents of Glimepiride and Metformin Hydrochloride with respect to the sample portion received.
Similarly, PanKav-40, lifted from Pattan/Tangmarg, DFCO stated that the sample does not comply with I.P requirements concerning Dissolution Test; Potassium Chloride For Injection Concentrate U.S.P, part of the SKIMS supply, lifted by Zone III Srinagar, has not complied with the tests regarding Description and Sterility; Folic Acid Tablets IP 5mg, part of Jan Aushudi, lifted from Zone III Srinagar and Pampore, DFCO said, the sample is not of standard quality for the reason stated under Description and failed in the test Description of the tablets.
Furthermore, Ofloxacin Ophthalmic Solution ip 0.3%, again from JKMSCL Hospital Supply, lifted from Rajouri, it has been given out that the sample fails to comply with the test for pH concerning the sample portion received; Pramide, lifted from Zone V Srinagar has also failed in Disintegration test, thus declared sub-standard; Acto Flox-OR, lifted from Budgam HQ, DFCO stated that the given drug sample does not comply to the IP requirements with respect to disintegration test.
Lecoxib-P, lifted from Zone IV Jammu, it has been informed that the sample fails in the tests for description with respect to the sample portion received; Monzem LC lifted from Zone VI Srinagar, DFCO said that the sample does not comply with the test of ‘Uniformity of Weights’; Septodine, lifted from Zone III Srinagar, the details state that the percentage contents of Povidone Iodine calculated as available Iodine in the sample are found less than the claim made.
Lastly, Para-MF Suspension, lifted from Zone V Srinagar, the details given state that the contents of Mefenamic acid and Paracetamol are found less than the claim made; Diclopic Aqua, lifted from Kupwara, as per details, does not comply with the tests Description & Particulate matter, thus sub-standard.
Officials said that it is a continuous process and the necessary action as per law has been initiated already.