Captab Biotech Faces Heavy Penalties for Subpar IV Fluid Quality
Government of Punjab has prohibited a company based in Solan from supplying intravenous saline due to its subpar quality.
Health Minister, Dr. Balbir Singh, announced on Thursday that Captab Biotech, Solan, a pharmaceutical firm manufacturing and supplying below-par IV (intravenous) fluid bottles, namely normal saline, has been banned from participating in any Punjab government tenders for a three-year period.
The company had also lost their performance security of ₹3.30 lakh, and all payments due to them have been withheld. Furthermore, all rate contracts for 11 items supplied to the Punjab Health System Corporation (PHSC) have been cancelled effective immediately.
In a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, the Minister revealed that Captab Biotech would also be barred from the Punjab government for three years following their involvement in the supply of non-standard quality IV fluids.
Over a complaint from the Punjab government, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) swiftly intervened, halting all manufacturing by Captab Biotech under the Drug and Cosmetics Act.
This drastic action came after adverse drug reactions were observed in patients at government health institutions in Amritsar and Sangrur due to the use of normal saline manufactured by Captab Biotech in March.
As a result, the entire stock supplied by Captab Biotech was recalled by the Punjab DHS. A joint sampling of said normal saline was carried out by a team from the food and drug administration (FDA), Punjab, and the CDSCO, New Delhi.
The Minister emphasized that not only has Captab Biotech been made to take back the remaining stock at their expense, but the roles of three labs that initially passed samples, later found to be non-standard, are under review. There's more trouble brewing for Captab Biotech, as their Baddi unit, specifically unit-II in Jharmajri, has faced separate action for repeatedly failing quality parameters. They've been instructed to halt manufacturing large volume parenterals, sera, and vaccines[5].
So, there you have it, Captab Biotech- taking a heavy hit for manufacturing and supplying subpar IV fluids to the Punjab Health System Corporation.
[1] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chandigarh/punjab-health-dept-says-it-doesnt-need-docs-to-communicate-with-central-govt/articleshow/99772638.cms[2] https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/captab-biotech-sensational-rise-pharma-firm-holds-on-to-its-dreams-122040400501_1.html[3] https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/captab-biotech-puts-punjab-on-notice-through-press-release-310338[4] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/punjab-minister-captab-biotech-banned-from-participating-in-tenders-for-3-years/articleshow/99772076.cms[5] https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/punjab/captab-biotech-halt-production-at-units-in-punjab-baddi-430020[6] https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/captab-biotech-s-stock-trading-suspended-at-bse-after-pharma-firm-faces-heavy-penalties/448008
- The government announced that Captab Biotech, known for its involvement in health-related products, has been prohibited from participating in Punjab government tenders for three years due to substandard IV fluid quality.
- The Minister highlighted the importance of maintaining health-and-wellness standards, stating that Captab Biotech would be barred from the Punjab government for three years, following their supply of non-standard quality IV fluids.
- Consequent to the health crisis, Captab Biotech's Baddi unit, focusing on large volume parenterals, sera, and vaccines (associated with science and medical-conditions), has faced separate action for repeatedly failing quality parameters.
