Stop production: HC to 20 pharmacy companies

The High Court on Tuesday ordered to shut down the production plants of 20 pharmaceuticals companies on charge of producing second-rate medicines.

The court also ordered to Inspector General of Police and Director General of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) to give legal support to stop medicines production.

The High Court bench comprising Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice AKM Shahidul Huq passed the order after hearing a writ petition seeking the government steps to cancel licences of 20 pharmaceuticals companies on charge of producing second-rate medicines.

The 20 pharmaceuticals companies are: Axim, Avert, Bikolpo, Dolphin, Drugland, Globe, Alpha, Kafma, Medico, National drug, North Bangle, Remo chemicals, Rid Pharma, Skylab, Spark, Star, Sunipun, Today, Tropical and Universal.

Earlier, Manzill Murshid filed the petition on behalf of The Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh (HRPB) on June 5, saying that the licences of these drug companies should be cancelled as they have failed to produce standard medicines.

The right to life of citizens has been violated due to manufacturing of substandard medicines, the petition said.

The petitioner also prayed to the HC to direct the government to stop production of antibiotics by 14 others drug companies.