|
The All India Chemists & Distributors Federation (AICDF), an industry watchdog, has once again demanded to the ministry of health & family welfare and the Directorate of Drugs Control in West Bengal, to take immediate and visible action against 16 pharmaceutical marketing and manufacturing companies.
The pharma distributors’ body alleges that these companies have persistently violated mandatory regulatory compliances and failed to submit crucial facts and particulars, specifically brand registration and price compliance details, required for their licenses, a serious breach that compromises public health and the integrity of the drug supply chain. The AICDF’s reminder focuses exclusively on companies whose operations are based in West Bengal.
The core allegation against all the listed companies is the deliberate violation of regulatory compliance and the failure to disclose necessary facts to the drugs control authority.
The 16 pharmaceutical marketing and manufacturing firms named in the escalated complaint are Azeeq Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd (Kolkata), Sugarline Pharma Pvt Ltd (Sugarline Healthcare Pvt Ltd) (Kolkata), Kyrie Elision Private Limited (Kolkata), Lyceum Life Sciences Pvt Ltd. (Howrah), MIZ Pharmaceuticals Private Limited (Howrah), Xceed Pharma Private Limited (Kolkata), Griffin Biogenesis Private Limited (Kolkata), Matmon Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd (Kolkata), Opstean Healthcare Private Limited (Kolkata), Fast Cure Pharma (Berhampore, Murshidabad), Novo-Medix Pharmaceuticals Private Limited (Kolkata), Arros (India) Laboratories Pvt Ltd (Hooghly), Avigenix Innovations Private Limited (Kolkata), Jeen Life Sciences Private Limited (Kolkata), Austex Pharmaceuticals Pvt Ltd (Bally Jagachha), and Napsko Healthcare Private Limited (Siliguri).
The association also cited the dates on which the initial complaints were lodged for each company via email.
General secretary of the AICDF, Joydeep Sarkar told Pharmabiz that the Federation’s actions stem from a wider, long-standing regulatory concern that numerous marketing houses promote brands without mandatory clearance, particularly the non-submission of Form V for registering brands and prices with the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). He emphasizes that this failure effectively renders the brands illegal for sale and promotion, fostering an environment where substandard and unapproved medicines are more likely to thrive. He underscored the gravity of the situation by referencing tragic incidents, like the Coldrif toxic cough syrup case, which involved a crucial lapse in NPPA formalities.
Specific allegations beyond general non-compliance and non-submission of facts were raised against several companies. Azeeq Pharmaceuticals was accused of resuming the sale of pharma products after allegedly being restricted to FSSAI (food) products. Sugarline Pharma similarly concentrated supplies of medicines after a supposed stoppage date. More pointedly, MIZ Pharmaceuticals and Griffin Biogenesis were accused of using suspected influence, including hobnobbing with officials or leveraging kin and relatives in the health and family welfare office, to stall prosecution and continue operations.
In the reminders, the traders’ body expressed deep concern and disappointment over the apparent lack of rigorous enforcement, stating that the accused companies’ brands remain active in the market, with some even recruiting new marketing teams. The AICDF highlighted the paradox where the department is ‘agile and active’ against spurious medicine rackets but appears slow to execute prosecution or conviction against licensed offenders.
The Federation also noted that their concerns extend beyond West Bengal, citing recent seizures of substandard medicines in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, regions identified as key hubs for 'Third party Manufacturers' and 'Pharmaceutical Franchise Operations.'
Along with the Federation chairman Narendra Jain, Joydeep Sarkar urged the Directorate to act decisively and impartially, asserting that the removal or penalization of these companies will not disrupt the supply chain, as alternative brands are readily available. They emphasized that the lives of millions are paramount and demanded that offenders must not receive preference, reiterating its commitment to supporting the drugs control authority in strengthening the Indian health system.
|