April 2010

Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has found 44 drugs not-of-standard-quality during its inspection in March 2010. Most of the not-of-standard-quality drugs were from tax-holiday states Himachal Pradesh and Uttaranchal. And every month, the number of sub-standard drug samples keeps increasing and firms from these two states have major share in this list.

Even as two of the three PSUs, CRI in Kasauli and PII in Coonoor, have run into action within two months of accepting the order of resumption of vaccine production from the Union Health Ministry on February 26 this year, the BCG Vaccine Lab in Chennai is still waiting for approval from authorities to commence operations, it is learnt.

Glenmark's US subsidiary Glenmark Generics has been granted approval by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Norethindrone tablets 0.35mg—its generic version of Nor-QD. The product will be marketed under the trade name Heather and distribution is expected to start immediately.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi is hosting a conference on the care of children born with cleft lip, palate and craniofacial anomalies. The programme is part of the ninth Annual Conference of the Indian Society of Cleft Lip palate and Craniofacial Anomalies which is being held in New Delhi from April 23 to April 25.

The foremost challenge for any pharma company with biotech divisions or units in the Asian region is bringing out the product. We do not have too many products. However, I have been convinced that at least some Indian companies will do it.

Panacea Biotec is a leading research based Health Management Company, with an annual turnover of approx. Rs. 830 Crores. We are engaged in research, development, manufacture & marketing of Vaccines, Bio-Pharmaceuticals and Pharmaceuticals (Rx & OTC) of international quality and Health Services. All Panacea Biotec plants are accredited by international agencies and they follow current Good Manufacturing Practices, as per WHO guidelines.We offer stimulating work environment & a career that spells growth.