Another Delhi Hospital Drug Fails Quality Test, Says LG Days After Seeking CBI Probe

Days after a row over the quality of drugs given in Delhi government hospitals, another medicine has come under the scanner for being 'sub-standard' as claimed by the office of the Lt Governor.

Days after Delhi LG VK Saxena recommended a Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI) probe into sub-standard drugs allegedly used at hospitals, another medicine used for the treatment of  seizures and epilepsy has turned out to be spurious, officials at the Raj Niwas said, as reported by PTI.

Last week Saxena sought a CBI probe into the supply of drugs claiming they "failed quality standard tests" and have the "potential of endangering lives." Now, officials have said another drug sample colleced from Delhi hospitals was also failed by the RDTL, or Regional Drug Testing Laboratory, in Chandigarh.

They said the new drug called 'Sodium Valproate' is used for treating epilepsy and was found to be below the quality standard. An official said that a report on the matter was issued by a government analyst on December 22.

According to officials, the drugs found to be below the standard quality included Cephalexin - a critical antibiotic used in the treatment of lung and urinary tract infections, Dexamethasone - a steroid used in the treatment of life-threatening inflammation in lungs, joints and anti-epilepsy, anti-anxiety psychiatric drug Levetiracetam, and anti-hypertension drug Amlodipine.

Last week, Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj directed the health secretary to make alternative arrangements for the durgs that failed the quality test. He sought for a standard operating procedure to be formed to ensure quality standards. The Delhi government also asked the drugs to be withdrawn after the LG raised the issue.

Bharadwaj also said that the five drugs (Amlodipine, Levetiracetam, Pantoprazole, Cephalexin and Dexamethasone) found below quality standard would be removed from stock where they were supplied.

"Since the aforementioned five drugs which are to be removed from the stock, are also essential in nature and required for treatment of hypertensive disorder, seizure disorder, gastritis infections and respiratory diseases, hence, alternative arrangements should immediately be in place to make them available...," he said in a statement.