Chandigarh, October 27 – Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao said the state government has issued an advisory to all allopathic drug manufacturers regarding the use of risky solvents. Continuous inspections are being conducted, and notices have been issued to drug manufacturers found deficient in prescribed standards. Union Health Minister Sh. J.P. Nadda also appreciated the efforts being made by the state government in the health sector.
Health Minister Arti Singh Rao was briefing Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda virtually from Chandigarh about the various initiatives being undertaken by the state government in the health sector.
Present on the occasion were Health Department Secretary Dr. R.S. Dhillon, Commissioner, Food and Drug Administration Department Dr. Manoj Kumar, State Drug Controller Sh. Lalit Kumar Goel, and Assistant State Drug Controller Sh. Rakesh Dahiya.
The Health Minister informed that all allopathic drug manufacturers in the state have been instructed to exercise caution in the procurement, storage, and use of risky solvents such as propylene glycol, glycol, and glycerin. She said that inspections for verification of these solvents had already been initiated by the state government. So far, 37 inspections have been conducted and 54 samples have been collected and sent for testing.
Arti Singh Rao further said that joint inspections with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) have also been initiated. Till now, 14 inspections have been carried out, and 31 samples have been taken for testing. Notices have been issued to all firms where discrepancies were found. In addition, 267 samples related to solvents have been collected from Haryana’s sale units and sent for testing.
She also informed the Union Minister that Haryana’s Health Department is already operating on the Online National Drugs Licensing System (ONDLS). All licences related to manufacturing and sales are being issued through this portal.
Sh. J.P. Nadda appreciated the excellent work being carried out by the Haryana Government on this portal.
The Health Minister further shared that 33 risk-based inspections (RBI) of drug manufacturing units have been conducted, and action has already been taken in all cases. Twelve firms have been ordered to stop production, and two manufacturing licenses have been cancelled. Additionally, 17 risk-based inspections (RBI) of drug testing laboratories have been conducted, and action has been taken in all cases. The licence of one laboratory has been cancelled.
She also mentioned that a new drug laboratory equipped with all necessary instruments is being established, which will become operational within the next four months. A proposal is being sent to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization to further strengthen the drug regulatory system, which includes setting up three new laboratories in Gurugram, Hisar, and Karnal, with an estimated cost of Rs 91.9 crore.
Arti Singh Rao reiterated that the state government is committed to ensuring the best healthcare for the people of Haryana, and necessary medicines and medical equipment are being provided as required.
