As many as 50 drug samples manufactured in Himachal Pradesh have failed quality tests, prompting the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to issue a nationwide drug alert. Across the country, a total of 167 drug samples were found to be substandard, with Himachal Pradesh accounting for a significant share.
The failed samples include medicines used for blood pressure, heart ailments, fever, pain relief, allergies, kidney-related treatments and vitamins. Taking serious note of the matter, the State Drug Department has issued notices to the concerned pharmaceutical units and directed them to immediately recall the affected stocks from the market.
The highest number of failed samples has been reported from Baddi, the largest industrial hub of the State, where 23 samples did not meet quality standards. Nalagarh accounted for seven failed samples, Solan six, while industrial areas of Kala Amb and Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district reported 11 failed samples. Additionally, one failed sample was reported from Una and two from Parwanoo, the State’s oldest industrial area. In some cases, multiple samples from the same manufacturing units failed quality checks.
The continuous failure of drug samples has raised serious concerns, as it is causing reputational damage to Himachal Pradesh at the national level. The State contributes nearly 30 per cent of the country’s total pharmaceutical production, with Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) emerging as the largest pharma hub. Notably, 30 out of the 50 failed drug samples were manufactured in the BBN area alone.
Although the government has repeatedly claimed to take strict action against erring pharmaceutical companies, including blacklisting units with more than two failed samples, no concrete action has been taken so far. Earlier, around 20 such industries were identified for repeated quality failures, but the lack of decisive action has resulted in the continued trend of substandard drug samples.
