Indian company ordered to recall contaminated eye drops after SL raises complaint

2 June 2023 07:26 am - 17 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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India’s Pharmaceutical Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil ) which is part of the Ministry of Commerce has asked Gujarat-based pharma company-- Indiana Ophthalmics to recall Methylprednisolone linked to causing eye infections in more than 30 people after Sri Lankan Ministry of Health raised a complaint to the Indian government.

The Daily Mirror reported two weeks before that Sri Lanka had sought compensation from the relevant Indian Company following several victims demanding compensation for the loss caused to their eyes.

According to sources, a complaint has been raised by the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health to the Indian government that Methylprednisolone eye drops supplied by Ophthalmics firm to the Sri Lanka State Pharmaceutical Corporation in March 2023 caused eye infections in more than 30 people.

Subsequently, Pharmexcil has sought explanation from the firm to furnish the details with of the licensees to whom the company has supplied the subject drugs.

In addition, Pharmexcil has directed the company to investigate the reasons for contamination of the product and update the pharma export council body for further action by 3 June failing which they will cancel the Registration-Cum Membership Certificate (RCMC) of the firm.

According to Indian media, in the last year, this is the fourth such incident when Indian-made drugs had been declared contaminated in other countries.

Last year, poor quality Indian-made cough syrups were linked to the death of 84 children in Gambia and Uzbekistan followed by the statement made by the US FDA linking India-made eye drops causing blindness and eye infection to 55 people.

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Comments - 17

Mendis Friday, 02 June 2023 07:48 AM

Long before 84 African children died after taking Indian made cough syrups, there had been suggestions that Indian medicines had killed so many people in many third world countries over many years but Indian pharmaceutical companies had continue to bribe the doctors to coverup the deaths. So, we would like to know whether any such coverups took place in Sri Lanka too. CID should investigate the Sri Lankan doctors with links to Indian pharmaceutical companies.

T R Friday, 02 June 2023 07:55 AM

Indians are not decent people and would NEVER pay any compensation to those Sri Lankans affected by the contaminated eye drops.

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 02 June 2023 04:52 PM

Did you do that when you killed thousands of innocent Tamils during the 1977 and 1983 riots? At least one rupee for every death?

Jaffna Boys Friday, 02 June 2023 08:00 AM

Cut off all links with India and take the Indian drug company to the international court. India is a curse to Sri Lanka.

Gamini Friday, 02 June 2023 09:40 AM

Jaffna boys if SL cuts of all connections with India, where will you guys run off in a boat to, before finding your way to Canada

VJ Friday, 02 June 2023 10:36 AM

Indians are not decent people but provided us vital financial support when we were starving. Our people are the most grateful people on this earth. Contamination of the drug could have taken place in handling, storage and administration too. Only a thorough investigation will determine the facts. There are legal avenues to seek compensation. Compensation is not paid by the Indian people but the the manufacturer of the drug.

Lion Friday, 02 June 2023 11:09 AM

Let keheliya try this in his own eyes

Tiamaria Friday, 02 June 2023 01:16 PM

You find a few ungrateful guys commenting! SL government has been begging India for each and everything. More than IMF India has donated. Think of the Ambulances running all over the country! Buses for SLTB, Millions of tons of rice, and various edible items. Many more to say. Please be grateful!

Pathirana Friday, 02 June 2023 01:18 PM

@ Gamini and @ VJ: you are making such an effort to defend India, this is what you always do using different names. I wish we could put the Indian Eye Drops into your eyes !

G Miskin Friday, 02 June 2023 01:28 PM

@ VJ, you are right Indians are decent people. That is why killing people for organs is a multi billion dollar industry in India. Even the Indian doctors are involved in this industry.

Ram Friday, 02 June 2023 02:00 PM

The Minister and his stooges who ordered are still working. Remove them. Indian Company unlikely to accept the return of the drugs

Matt Chris Friday, 02 June 2023 04:06 PM

@Gamini You think came from different planet go around see your people begging like a dogs in Gulf and Europe. Don't be idiot who know your parents come to Sri lanka which boat.

Probably another medicine bought with the Indian Credit line Friday, 02 June 2023 06:02 PM

Indians want to maximize their business opportunities here, whatever the long term ill effect to us. The Indian Credit line was just another sneaky way to do that. That credit line forces us to buy from India to use the credit. The eye drops most likely were imported by way of the credit line. Government desperate to hold on to power, and prevent revolt will do all sorts of dirty deals like the Indian Credit line, that in the end caused the problems for the eye surgery patients here.

Buddhist Friday, 02 June 2023 09:09 PM

Is the Minister going to return the bribes he got from this company?

Edie Saturday, 03 June 2023 03:35 AM

It is Sri Lanka's procurement office and the testing Labs mistake for NOT checking the EYE DROP samples approved before the purchasing orders are passed to the supplier or manufacturer. The minister of health is responsible for the negligence.

Dara Sunday, 04 June 2023 06:25 AM

It’s not only the corrupt Indian pharmaceutical companies responsible but equally corrupt Sri Lankan politicians too, they sneak into India and signing agreements to buy them for hefty commissions,exposed recently

Be-a-Lankan Sunday, 04 June 2023 01:53 PM

Just a recall is never a solution for those who are affected by the act of Indian medicine manufacturers, considerable compensation should be paid immediately, and the GOSL must STOP importing medicine from INDIA, hereinafter, no relationship should be continued with Indians, meaning, the bilateral relationship should come to an end immediately.

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Indian company ordered to recall contaminated eye drops after SL raises complaint

Comments - 17

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