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The DCGI has cautioned against the consumption of Abbott's antacid Digene gel citing safety concerns, even as the US-based drugmaker recalled several batches of the medicine manufactured at its Goa facility. According to a letter by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), it was reported on August 9 that a bottle of Digene Gel (mint flavour), batch no 51030307, used by customers was of regular taste (sweet) and light pink in colour whereas another bottle of the same batch was of white colour with bitter taste and pungent odour as per a complaint. "Accordingly, M/s Abbott India Limited, Verna Industrial Estate, Salcette, Goa- vide letter dated August 11, 2023, informed DCGI office for voluntary recall of impugned product Digene Mint flavour batch no 51030307 and Digene Gel orange having batch no 50035107, 50035207, 50035307, 50035407 and voluntary stopped production of all variants of Digene Gel manufactured at their Goa facility," the DCGI letter stated. Further, Abbott India
A Punjab-based drugmaker was asked to stop all manufacturing activities after samples collected from its premises, following an alert by the WHO, were found to be "not of standard quality", the Lok Sabha was informed on Friday. Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar, in a written reply in the Lower House of Parliament, said the World Health Organization (WHO) issued a medical product alert for a batch of India-made Guaifenesin syrup in the Marshall Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia. Subsequent to the reports, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) in coordination with State Drugs Authority, Punjab, conducted a joint investigation at M/s QP Pharmachem Ltd in Punjab. "Drug samples drawn from the manufacturing premises under the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 for test and analysis were declared as 'not of standard quality'," the minister said. "Further, the State Licensing Authority has directed the firm to stop all manufacturing .
As part of its growth plans, Ajanta Pharma is looking to enhance its presence across select geographies with high growth potential in Asia and Africa. In its Annual Report for 2022-23, the Mumbai-based drug maker stated that it intends to rely on its strengths to grow faster in countries where it has a presence with its range of branded generics. "As we achieve formidable positions in many markets, our strategy now entails enhancing focus on select countries from our geographical presence, which promises high growth potential," Ajanta Pharma informed its shareholders. These territories offer a large branded generics pharma market size, but the company's presence still remains small, it added. "We plan to ramp up our presence in these markets and add value to the patients' choices through our differentiated product portfolio," the drug firm said. The company's branded generics business accounted for 73 per cent of its revenues in FY 2023, with Indian, rest of Asia and Africa ...