Palghar, Maharashtra: The Medical and Health Department of the Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) has identified a supplier of substandard medication, leading to a police complaint and the blacklisting of the firm. The discovery comes after reports of counterfeit drugs circulating in some government and semi-government hospitals across the state.
The VVCMC, which provides essential medical services to citizens, procures medicines and related items through e-tenders following Maharashtra government guidelines. During recent quality checks, it was revealed that Tab. Cefixime IP 200mg, supplied by M/s. Pranik Enterprises, failed its quality inspection. Subsequently, the Drug Inspector from Palghar, has filed a case against M/s. Pranik Enterprises and six other individuals.
At the time of supply, the VVCMC had received a quality inspection report and a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certificate from the supplier, M/s. Mellow Biosciences, Thrissur, Kerala, indicating the drug was safe for use. However, in light of the police complaint lodged by the Drug Inspector, M/s. Pranik Enterprises, Nalasopara (W), has been immediately blacklisted, and all further supplies from them have been suspended.
The Medical and Health Department has also announced an increase in the frequency of drug sample testing from other suppliers through the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The department stated its commitment to aggressively intensifying drug inspections to prevent such incidents in the future.
The Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation assures citizens that medicines provided at hospitals, maternal and child care centers, urban primary health centers, Ayushman Arogya Mandir, and Aapla Dawakhana operating under the Medical and Health Department are safe and pose no harm to life. Citizens are requested to take note of this assurance.
