Himachal’s Pharma Hub Under Fire: 66 Drug Samples Fail Quality Tests
Himachal Pradesh, often hailed as Asia’s premier pharma hub, is facing a serious credibility crisis. A monthly alert from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has flagged 66 drug samples from 46 companies in the state as “not of standard quality (NSQ)”, sparking alarm over lapses in manufacturing practices, as says a report.
These aren’t just routine medicines. The failed samples include drugs used for cancer, heart disease, infections, psychiatric care, and diabetes—critical treatments that millions depend on.
- Industrial belts like Baddi, Barotiwala, Nalagarh, Kala Amb, Solan, Paonta Sahib, Una, and Kangra are under strict scrutiny.
- One Nalagarh-based company saw seven samples fail, while two firms in Paonta Sahib had an equal number of rejections.
- Himachal alone accounts for 31% of all failed samples nationwide, a staggering figure for a state that prides itself on pharma excellence.
Across India, 211 drug samples failed quality checks this month—145 from states including Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Bengal, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh. Tests revealed deficiencies in assay, dissolution, sterility, pH, and content uniformity, pointing to systemic lapses in Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
Industry experts warn that repeated lapses could erode trust in Himachal’s pharma sector at a time when India is positioning itself as the “pharmacy of the world.” For a state that has built its identity around pharmaceutical manufacturing, the findings are a wake-up call.
