Sri Lanka has not banned any Indian drug manufacturers: Indian Minister

New Delhi: Sri Lanka has not banned any Indian drug manufacturer for supplying low quality drugs as some media reports in Sri Lankan press have reported, India said.

In response to a question in lower house of Indian parliament Lok Sabha, Indian Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiradiya M. Scindia has in a written reply said that no report on banning of any Indian drug manufacturer has come to the notice of Government of India.

Some media reports have appeared in Sri Lankan press alleging supply of low quality drugs by Indian exporters while there were other reports alleging suspension of some Indian companies by the Sri Lankan Government for violation of tender terms, the Minister noted.

According to the statement, “discussions were held with concerned authorities in Sri Lankan Government by the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka as also during the visit of Health Minister of Sri Lanka to New Delhi during July-August, 2011 wherein the need for clear technical specifications in the tendering process was stressed so as to prevent entry of sub-standard and low quality drugs in Sri Lankan market.”

The Minister has explained that drugs and pharmaceutical products are exported only after meeting stringent regulatory requirements prescribed by the regulatory authorities in various countries.

In addition, Indian exporters have to comply with quality norms prescribed for manufacturing of drugs and pharmaceuticals in India by Drug Controller General of India under Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Any reported violation is viewed seriously and is dealt with as per prescribed procedure under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, the Indian Minister has said. (www.colombopage.com)