The health ministry is yet to take any action against the 29 pharmaceutical companies whose drugs have been identified as “high risk to public health” by a drug inspection team.
The five-member team after inspecting 73 pharmaceutical companies submitted its report before the parliamentary standing committee on the health ministry.
The parliamentary body formed the experts team following the death of at least 24 children after taking paracetamol syrup of the Rid Pharmaceuticals Ltd.
The pool of experts submitted its first inspection report in 2010 when 62 companies were identified as producers of fake medicines. It visited the 73 companies for a second time.
The committee comprised Prof ABM Faruque, Prof Khitish Chandra, Prof Anwarul Islam and Prof Shawkat of Dhaka University, and Prof Shahabuddin Kabir Chowdhury of Jahangirnagar University.
They identified 29 companies as manufacturers of drugs that are high risk to public health.
The companies are Oyster Pharma Ltd of Dhaka, Royal Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Chittagong, Aztek Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Chuadanga, Bengal Techno Pharma Ltd of Dinajpur, Bristol Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Gazipur, Indo-Bangla Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Barisal, Enova Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Mirpur, Oyasis Laboratories of Sirajgonj, Pharmic Laboratories of Khulna, Rasha Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Sirajganj, Remo Chemicals of Tejgaon, Standard Laboratories Ltd of Chittagong, Universal Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Pabna, Ablation Laboratories of Mirpur, Bikolpo Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Mirpur, Dolphin Pharmaceuticals Ltd of North Jatrabari, Jalfa Laboratories Ltd of Sylhet, Millat Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Postogola, National Laboratories of Narayanganj, North Bengal Laboratories of Naogaon, Paradise Pharma Ltd of Barisal, Quality Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Kustia, Spark Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Mymensingh, Sunipun Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Savar, Tropical Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Shamoli, Unique Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Keraniganj, Avert Pharma Ltd of Savar, Belsen Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Faridpur and Save Pharmaceuticals Ltd of Mymensingh.
The report mentioned that these companies did not comply with the WHO guidelines.
Remedy Pharmaceuticals, As-tra Biopharmaceuticals and Shamshul Alamin Pharmaceuticals had been advised to continue production of drugs except penicillin, sefalosporin, antibiotics and steroids.
Another 26 pharmaceuticals companies were told to continue production by following instructions of the expert team but were barred from producing penicillin, sefalosporin, antibiotics and steroids.
The FNF Pharmaceuticals was asked to suspend production of human drugs but continue manufacturing drugs and vaccines for animals.
Seventeen companies were found closed while the team went on the inspection.
Prof ABM Faruque of the team told the Dhaka Tribune: “In 2010, we visited these companies and cautioned them about maintaining standard.”