BATCH MANUFACTURING REPORT

Maldives reports contamination in Pakistani syrups, suspension medicines: Report

Maldives detected contamination in Pakistani syrups, prompting a WHO alert for heightened vigilance. Lahore-based Pharmix Laboratories faced scrutiny after substances found in syrups matched those in brake fluids and inks. WHO identified five affected products, including Alergo Syrup and Zincell Syrup, raising concerns in Belize, Fiji, and Laos. DEG and EG contaminants were discovered in screenings, leading to recalls and sealing of Pharmix's syrup section.

Govt set to file progress report on talks with makers of rare disease drugs

Activists have demanded that tax exemption be given for such drugs that are approved by India’s drug regulator and are available in the country. During the last hearing, the government counsel informed the court it has flagged the issue over customs duty and GST to the finance ministry and “is hopeful of informing the court about the outcome of the said issue on the next date”.

SC rejects plea on manufacturing, use of firecrackers containing barium

The Supreme Court has rejected a plea to allow the manufacture and use of firecrackers containing barium. The court upheld the Delhi government's decision to ban all firecrackers ahead of the Diwali festival. The court emphasized that when a ban is imposed, it applies to all firecrackers regardless of their environmental impact. The Delhi police have finalized an action plan to enforce the ban, including the formation of teams to check for the sale, storage, and use of firecrackers.

China services activity weakens, eurozone economy barely expands triggering stagflation concerns

While weakness in China and Eurozone economies ​​​​​​fed policymakers with worries about stagflation taking hold, South Africa’s economy grew by more than expected.

DCGI issues advisory as US-based Abbott recalls batches of Digene gel

Abbott India Limited, through a letter dated August 18, intimated to DCGI regarding voluntary product recall of all batches of Digene Gel of all flavours (mint, orange, mix fruits flavour) which are within the shelf life and manufactured at Goa facility. "The impugned product may be unsafe and its use may result in adverse reaction," the DCGI letter dated August 31 said.

Teardown of Huawei's new phone shows China's chip breakthrough

Huawei Technologies and China's top chipmaker SMIC have built an advanced 7-nanometer processor to power its latest smartphone, Bloomberg News reported on Monday.

Revoke 'generics only' prescription regulation, IMA writes to minister

Citing the Mashelkar Report of 2003, it went on to say that the problems in the regulatory system in the country were primarily due to inadequate or weak drug control infrastructure at the state and central levels, inadequate testing facilities, shortage of drug inspectors, non-uniformity of enforcement, lack of specially trained cadres for specific regulatory areas, and the non-existence of a data bank.

Punjab-based drugmaker asked to stop manufacturing after samples found to be of non-standard quality: Govt

Punjab-based drugmaker QP Pharmachem Ltd has been directed to halt all manufacturing activity after the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued an alert warning that samples of Guaifenesin syrup it produced were of substandard quality. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, in conjunction with Punjab's state drugs authority, had investigated the manufacturer after reports of the contamination in the Marshall Islands and Federated States of Micronesia.

US unit of India's Cipla recalls six batches of bronchospasm inhaler

Indian pharmaceutical company Cipla has recalled six batches of its Albuterol Sulfate HFA Inhalation Aerosol in the US due to a container defect. The recall was made after leakage was observed through the inhaler valve of one single inhaler. All six batches, produced using the same lot of valves in November 2021, are being recalled.

India considers testing cough syrups before export: Report

India's health ministry is considering a proposal from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) to test cough syrups for export in government laboratories after Indian-made versions were linked to dozens of deaths last year. Syrups made by companies based near New Delhi were linked to the deaths of at least 70 children in Gambia and 19 in Uzbekistan.

India ripe target for EV companies but domestic take up slow: Report

Despite being the third-largest auto market in the world, no Indian company is likely to achieve a meaningful global share of electric vehicles in the near future, warns a report by S&P Global Ratings. According to the study, India's slow takeup of EVs means it remains a ripe target for electric vehicle firms. Furthermore, the report states that the country will require a greater focus on charging infrastructure to achieve growth beyond the two- and three-wheeler segment.

Abbott India recalls batch of Thyronorm due to labelling error

"This is due to a labelling error in a small percentage of bottles from this batch which has been mislabeled with the dose strength as 25 mcg, whereas the bottles contain 88 mcg tablets," the drug maker stated. The batch has been invoiced only in Madhya Pradesh and Telangana, it added.

Another Indian pharma manufacturer in news after WHO's substandard medicine alert

The alert was issued for a batch of substandard (contaminated) Guaifenesin Syrup TG Syrup. The substandard product was identified in the Marshall Islands and Micronesia and reported to WHO on 6 April 2023, a WHO statement said.

Pakistan to shortly ship fresh batch of multi-barrel rocket launchers for Ukrainian MoD

The fresh supplies are happening following an understanding between Pakistan and the Ukrainian Defence Ministry, ET has learnt. The consignment will be sent via vessel ‘MV BBC Diamond’ and will be delivered via the Polish port of Gdansk.

Cough syrup deaths: DCGI directs drug manufacturers not to use propylene glycol supplied by Delhi firm

Three employees of Marion Biotech were arrested on charges of manufacture and sale of adulterated drugs.

70 companies participate in IIM Bodh Gaya final placements; top offer of Rs 48.58 lk

The average domestic package of the batch's top 25, 50, and 75 percentile stood at Rs 21.82 lakh, Rs 18.79 lakh and Rs 17.08 lakh respectively. For a batch of over 200 students, the institute saw participation of nearly 70 companies across sectors including BFSI, Consulting, FMCG, IT & Services, IT & Analytics, e-Commerce, and Manufacturing.

Test reports of cough syrup linked to Uzbek deaths yet to reach regulator

The official declined to give a timeline for the test reports but said the drug controller has found lapses in documentation and other good manufacturing practices (GMP), and has issued show cause notices to the company while ordering suspension of manufacturing operations. ​​Marion holds an export licence from the UP drug controller to manufacture the Dok-1-Max syrup and tablets.

Uzbekistan cough syrup deaths: India's Marion Biotech halts manufacturing, CDSCO initiates probe

"We regret deaths, govt is conducting an enquiry. We'll take action as per the report. Samples were collected. Manufacturing of that product has been halted as of now & other processes are underway," said Hasan Raza, Marion Biotech Pharma Company legal head. ​In a statement, the Uzbek Health Ministry had said that "18 out of 21 children with acute respiratory disease have died as a result of taking Doc-1 Max syrup manufactured by the Indian company Marion Biotech Pvt Ltd".

Glenmark gets warning letter from USFDA for lapses at Goa plant

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has been pulled up by the US health regulator owing to manufacturing lapses including failure to establish required laboratory control mechanisms, at its Goa-based manufacturing plant. The USFDA, in a warning letter addressed to Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Chairman and Managing Director Glenn Saldanha, pointed out various lapses at the company's Bardez-based facility in Goa, which produces drug formulations.

Nepal Airlines to sell five troublesome Chinese planes

Nepal Airlines has been eager to get rid of the non-flying planes, but bureaucratic hassles forced it to hold on to them even as losses mounted. Officials doubt there will be anybody wanting to buy them too, the report said. The five condemned planes are currently parked at the remote parking bay on the eastern side of Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. A sixth aircraft crashed in Nepalgunj and is unflyable, the report said.

Maharashtra cancels Johnson & Johnson's manufacturing licence for baby powder

The FDA had earlier issued a show-cause notice to the US pharma, medical devices and consumer goods multinational, seeking to know why actions, including suspension or cancellation of the manufacturing licence or product manufacturing licence - should not be taken against the firm.

Niti Aayog CEO Amitabh Kant asks EV makers to recall vehicle batches involved in fires

The govt is also reportedly preparing comprehensive guidelines for the electric vehicle (EV) industry after several fire incidents were reported across the country.

Reimagining the post-pandemic manufacturing workforce