Implica

India cancels pharma distributor licence over Kota maternal deaths probe

India's health authorities cancelled a pharmaceutical distributor's licence in Kota after five women died following Caesarean deliveries in May, allegedly due to spurious oxytocin injections supplied to government hospitals.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation conducted joint inspections with state regulators, finding compliance deficiencies in manufacturing practices at Jackson Laboratories' units, leading to licence cancellations in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.

This action matters as it highlights India's regulatory response to prevent future maternal deaths from unsafe pharmaceutical supplies.

World Health Organization

The WHO has sought information from the Government of India on the alleged supply of spurious oxytocin injections to government hospitals in Kota by a pharma distributor, leading to the deaths of five women following Caesarean deliveries in May.

Indian Government

The Centre has cancelled the manufacturing licences of Jackson Laboratories' units in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh after joint inspections by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation and state drug regulators found deficiencies in compliance with good manufacturing practices.

  • India's 2019 National List of Essential Medicines includes oxytocin for its critical role in managing postpartum hemorrhage.
  • Kota, Rajasthan, is known for its educational institutions and has a history of public health challenges in urban infrastructure.
  • The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation was established in 1940 under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.