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WB govt stops operations of Paschim Banga Pharma following four maternal deaths in Karnataka
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Peethaambaran Kunnathoor, Chennai
December 13 , 2024
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The West Bengal government has stopped operations of the Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals Limited, manufacturer of Ringer lactate IV fluid, which is suspected to be the cause of death of four pregnant women in Ballari district hospital in Karnataka in the second week of last month.
Following the incident, the West Bengal government stopped the manufacturing of all IV fluid solutions and other operations of the company for further investigation. Sources from the government informed Pharmabiz that the company stopped their operations from December 10 onwards. Government is conducting strict inspections based on the joint inspections held last week.
Sources said a joint inspection with officers from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) conducted in the company and according to the reports, the government gave the stop operation memo, and the investigation is going on. The sources did not divulge more information about the ongoing investigations, but said fool proof investigation on all sides will be conducted.
When asked whether the company is supplying materials manufactured prior to the incident, a highly placed source in the government said supply of products was also stopped for the moment, including the same batch of the IV fluid. The drug control department is also conducting inspections in various angles.
To a question whether Paschim Banga Pharmaceutical has any WHO certificate or are they following good laboratory practices (GLP), the government source said, the company is an old one with repute, and having all certifications and standards. However, government level inspections have been initiated and they are going on.
The incident happened in the district hospital in Ballari between November 9 and 11 following reported administration of Ringer lactate solution manufactured by Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals. Following the incident, the Government of Karnataka formed a four-member panel to probe the maternal deaths and ordered a prosecution of the company in West Bengal for supplying substandard IV fluids to the Karnataka government. The government also suspended the state drug controller, Dr S Umesh, from service on charge of dereliction of duty. The state health department wrote one letter to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to investigate the issue and take action against the manufacturer. The Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (KSMSCL) was procuring IV fluids from the company Paschim Banga.
Responding to the government action on the drug controller without conducting proper investigation on the matter, the Drug Control Officers Association of India (DCO India) wanted the chief minister Siddaramaiah to reinstate the officer immediately. G Koteeswara Rao, president of DCO India, said he will give a memorandum to the chief minister of Karnataka soon after he comes back to India from the United States.
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