BENGALURU, 25 JUNE

The Karnataka government’s Drug Testing Laboratory declared 14 drugs manufactured by as many different companies as "substandard" on Wednesday.

The state’s Food Safety and Drug Administration department has directed chemists, wholesalers, doctors, hospitals and nursing homes not to stock, sell or use these drugs and cosmetics, a government statement said.

"In case they hold any stock, they are requested to inform the concerned area Drugs Inspector or Assistant Drugs Controller. The public is also advised not to use these drugs or cosmetics," the statement added.

The substandard drugs include compound sodium lactate injection IP (Ringer-Lactate solution for injection) manufactured by Ultra Laboratories and Tam Bran Pharmaceuticals; Pomol-650 by Aban Pharmaceuticals and MITO Q7 Syrup by Bion Therapeutics India among others.

The department has urged strict compliance with these directions to safeguard public health.