Probe into drugs lab malpractices

The Drugs Controller will hold an internal inquiry into the alleged malpractices in testing and analysis at the Drugs Testing Laboratory.

An inquiry conducted by the Upalokayukta had found that certain 'unqualified’ drugs were certified as 'qualified,’ despite negative report in the test and analysis, owing to pressure from Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) Sudha Swamy.

Upalokayukta Justice Subhash B Adi said that the CSO and Government Analyst submitted conflicting statements. “The Drugs Controller has sought time to hold an internal enquiry. The Principal Secretary, Health, has been asked to be present on September 7,” he said.

The complaint was that the CSO had pressured the Government Analyst and the Junior Scientific Officer to prepare a positive report in the test and analysis of two drugs. The drug samples of Ccliya (Clomifene Citrate Tablets) and Roxithromycin (antibiotic tablets) were sent back to Government Analyst Mohammed Saifuddin Rubbani for repetition of test and analysis. Ccliya is used in fertility treatment and Roxithromycin is an antibiotic used in respiratory tract infections.

Junior Scientific Officer Girish M K, who was assigned by Government Analyst to conduct the test, returned the samples of Ccliya with the conclusion that it was “not of standard quality”.

However, the CSO pressured him to change the report. On April 15, one more test was conducted which “passed” the drug.

The complainant alleged that similarly, repeated tests were conducted for Roxithromycin and other drugs.