By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: The Civil Society Women’s Organisation (CSWO) on Monday sought the intervention of the Governor to cancel the license of M/S Indus Creed Industrial Estate, Shillong following the alleged manufacturing of substandard medicine by M/S Indus Creed.
According to a complaint lodged by the president of the CSWO Agnes Kharshiing with the Governor on Monday, the license of the M/S Indus Creed Industrial Estate, Shillong was cancelled by the State Asst Drugs Controller but the same was ignored and the Asst Drugs Controller was sidelined and put under pressure to revoke the order.
“It is very unfortunate that the Government, and the IAS Officers working for the Government, that should be looking into the welfare of the people especially the rural poor masses, who depend for help from the Government, is ignoring the health of the people and intentionally purchasing substandard medicines especially like Paracetamol Albendazole, and Furazolidone”, Kharshiing said.
Terming the government’s act as an act of corruption, Kharshiing said that this is definitely an abuse of power by putting at risk the life of the people, even after complains made by doctors and raised their voices, against buying sub Standard medicine.
Recently, the CSWO carried out an inspection at the industrial unit of the Indus Creed Pharmaceuticals situated at the Industrial Estate at Lawmali, where they discovered the illegal and unhygienic manufacture of medicines and also found out that the license that was issued earlier to the company was cancelled in 2003, due to alleged malpractices.
The CSWO president stated that the M/S Indus Creed Industrial Estate, Shillong has not complied with the GMP regulation, as is mandatory before issue of a license, thereby violating the terms and conditions laid down in the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, has been supplying medicine to the various Government Hospitals, CHC, and PHC’s.
In this regard, the CSWO has asked the Governor to look into the matter and ensure that the necessary steps are taken up with the State Health Department Government to cancel the license of M/S Indus Creed Industrial Estate, Shillong.
Meanwhile, the CSWO also asked the Director of Health Service (DHS) (MI) Health Department, to immediately arrest the people responsible and book them, as per the Drugs Control Act, and also cancel the Drugs Manufacturing license of M/S Indus Creed, Industrial Estate immediately.
Stating that according to the letter of the Medical Superintendent (Ganesh Das), Kharshiing said that it is evident that M/S Indus Creed, Shillong is supplying the medicine Albendazole, which is below the standard set by IP (Indian Pharmacopeia).
“This goes to proof that this unit is not at all conforming to the standards laid down, and thus putting at threat the lives of the people of the State, especially the rural poor who depend on free medicine from the Government”, Kharshiing said.