NHRC Issues notices to Centre, DGCI regarding reported circulation of fake liver and cancer drugs

New Delhi: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued direct issuance of notices to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and the Drugs Controller General of India over reported circulation of falsified liver drug and cancer drug.

The Commission has asked a detailed report in the matter and it should include the present status of the implementation of the relevant laws to check the supply and sale of the falsified versions of the life-saving drug, if any, as mentioned in the news report. The response is expected within four weeks, NHRC statement said.

Reportedly, the falsified versions of drugs detected in four countries, including India are most often found to be available at the patient level and distributed in unregulated supply chains (mainly online), the statement said.

The Commission took suo motu cognizance of a media report that after the alert from the World Health Organization (WHO), the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has asked the state regulators, doctors and patients to remain vigilant about two medicines — liver drug and cancer drug as the falsified versions of these drugs are circulating in four countries, including India, it said.

According to the media report, carried on September 11, the product does not have marketing authorisation in India and Turkey. However, the falsified versions of the liver medicine were detected in India and Turkey, which were supplied outside of regulated and authorized channels, it added. (UNI)