Haryana Blacklists Maiden Pharmaceuticals for Quality Failures

Haryana has taken strict action against Maiden Pharmaceuticals Ltd, a company based in Sonepat, by blacklisting it for three years. The decision comes after multiple batches of the firm's albendazole tablets failed quality tests, raising concerns about public safety. 

Haryana Medical Services Corporation Ltd (HMSCL), responsible for procuring medicines for government healthcare facilities, cancelled all rate contracts with Maiden Pharma. This move follows the failure of three different products from the company during quality assessments. 

Laboratories selected by HMSCL found significant issues with Maiden Pharma's albendazole tablets, ibuprofen tablets, and azithromycin suspension. The quality failures were discovered in 21 batches of albendazole, three batches of ibuprofen, and 16 batches of azithromycin supplied between 2022 and 2023. 

HMSCL's decision to blacklist Maiden Pharma was expedited after receiving approval from the Chief Minister, prioritising public safety. This action deviated from the usual policy, which mandates blacklisting only after more than three products fail quality tests. However, the severity of the situation prompted immediate action.

The blacklisting order highlighted Maiden Pharmaceuticals' history of quality control violations. Previous incidents include supplying cough syrups to Gambia, resulting in the deaths of 66 children due to excessive toxins. The firm has also faced scrutiny from other state governments and international bodies, such as the Kerala and Himachal Pradesh governments and the World Health Organization.

Moreover, the Bihar Government had previously blacklisted the firm in 2011, and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) received alerts from the Vietnam government regarding the blacklisting of Indian pharma companies, including Maiden Pharmaceuticals. 

The repercussions for Maiden Pharma extend beyond blacklisting. Two of the firm's directors were convicted in a case related to substandard ranitidine hydrochloride tablets. Additionally, the performance bank guarantee of the firm has been forfeited.

HMSCL's decisive action emphasises the government's commitment to ensuring the quality and safety of medicines supplied to healthcare facilities across Haryana. This move serves as a deterrent against pharmaceutical companies compromising on quality standards.