Faulty medicines worth Rs 24 lakh recalled in statewide crackdown across Karnataka: Report
Bengaluru: In a crackdown on poor-quality pharmaceuticals, Karnataka's Drug Administration Department has recalled faulty medicines worth Rs 24.3 lakh from the market. This follows a inspection and testing drive carried out in February and March across the state, aimed at safeguarding public health.
According to a report by the Times of India, drug inspectors collected thousands of medicine samples from pharmacies across Karnataka and sent them to government labs in Bengaluru, Hubballi, and Ballari for analysis. In March alone, 1,891 samples were tested, and 41 failed to meet quality standards.
The crackdown followed a series of maternal deaths reported at Ballari District Hospital raised alarms about the safety of drugs administered during C-section procedures. Investigations revealed that several batches of Ringer lactate IV fluids—commonly used during surgeries—were potentially linked to the fatalities. Out of 196 batches tested, 113 were found to be substandard, prompting legal action against 78 manufacturers, added the report.
Additionally, the drug control officers also inspected 2,078 medical shops across Karnataka, leading to the suspension of 215 drug licences due to various violations.
The drugs that most commonly failed quality tests include formulations of paracetamol, sodium chloride injections, levocetirizine, azithromycin, metformin, vitamin D3, and iron-folic acid supplements.
Meanwhile, Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao emphasised that public safety remains a top priority. “We have taken legal action against those responsible and recalled all 41 drugs that failed the quality tests,” he said.
The minister also highlighted the need for a more robust tracking system to monitor the movement of drugs in the market. "I have always stressed the need for a system that flags poor-quality drugs so they can be removed completely from the market," TOI quoted Rao as saying.
He added a new system will be rolled out shortly which will store details of retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and their authorised agents. "This will help us trace and eliminate substandard drugs at every stage more efficiently," Rao added.
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Allen, Raghuvanshi, Green power KKR to 29-run win over GT
Kolkata (PTI): Finn Allen blasted a 35-ball 93, while Angkrish Raghuvanshi hit an unbeaten 44-ball 82 as Kolkata Knight Riders kept their playoff hopes alive with a 29-run win over Gujarat Titans in the IPL match here on Saturday.
Sent in to bat, Allen went on a six-hitting spree, smashing 10 maximums and four boundaries to add 95 off 41 balls with Raghuvanshi (82).
Raghuvanshi then shared another 108 off 53 balls with Cameron Green (52 not out) to power KKR to a challenging 247 for 2.
In reply, GT could manage 218-4, riding on skipper Shubman Gill's 49-ball 85 and a 35-ball 57 from Jos Buttler. Opener Sai Sudarsan was retired hurt but returned to make a 28-ball 53 not out.
Sunil Narine (2/29) claimed two wickets and Saurabh Dubey snapped one for KKR.
For GT, Mohammed Siraj (1/50), Sai Kishore (1/38) were the wicket-takers.
Brief Score:
KKR: 247 for 2 in 20 overs (Finn Allen 93, Angkrish Raghuvanshi 82 not out, Camero Green 52 not out; Mohammed Siraj 1/50).
GT: 218 for 4 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 85, Sunil Narine 2/29).
