Biocon loses licence to make drug

"Licence cancelled in view of violation of import norms by the company".

The Karnataka government has cancelled Biocon's licence to manufacture "methylcobalamin" (a drug for treatment of neurological disorders), citing violation of import norms.

Replying to a query from MP Nadagouda of the Janata Dal-United (JDU) in the Karnataka Legislative Council today, state minister for health and family welfare, R Ashok, said, "The licence has been cancelled in view of violation of import norms by the company."

But, the company, sticking to its earlier stand, said it had not violated any law. According to its statment, the company said it had obtained a licence to manufacture "methylcobalamin" in step with a specific process and for commercial reasons and that it revised the process and stared manufacturing the drug.

Biocon further admitted that this revised process, however, was not updated with the Drug Controller's offices and this was a procedural lapse on part of the company.

The company further said that based on a routine inspection, it received a show-cause notice early this year from the state drug control department for not updating the process change and the initial licence to manufacture was revoked.