Mumbai hospital advises doctors against prescribing Ranbaxy drugs

MUMBAI: A Mumbai hospital has put up a notice advising its doctors to avoid prescribing drugs manufactured by Ranbaxy Laboratories. This comes a fortnight after Ranbaxy Laboratories agreed to pay a $500-million penalty to US authorities for “selling adulterated drugs” in the American market. It is not known whether the two are linked.
Consultants at Jaslok Hospital said an advisory was put up at the receptionist’s circular desk four days ago.“The notice doesn’t give any reason, but merely states that Ranbaxy medicines won’t be available at the hospital and doctors should, as far as possible, not prescribe these drugs,” said a senior doctor who consults at Jaslok.
Ranbaxy is one of the biggest drug manufacturers in the country, having made a name for itself by producing generics. However, in 2008-09, the US Food and Drug Administration found the company had not followed adequate rules in manufacturing drugs meant for the American market. This resulted in a ban of around 30 Ranbaxy drugs.
Jaslok Hospital authorities refused to give reasons for the “ban”, despite several attempts to get a statement. There are indications that Ranbaxy officials have scheduled a meeting with Jaslok authorities on Tuesday, but Jaslok Hospital CEO Dr R R Pulgaonkar could not be contacted. His office said he had resumed work on Monday after a vacation.
Other city hospitals have not taken similar steps. Hinduja Hospital medical director Gustad Daver said, “We haven’t taken any decision on Ranbaxy drugs. If the Indian government makes a statement, we will follow it.”
But a consultant at Jaslok said, “Normally, one doesn’t see an individual hospital taking such a stand. But it’s not a bad thing. Moreover, the management note is more of a general caution.’’
Altaf Patel, also a consultant at Jaslok, said, “I believe the drugs that are under the US FDA scanner are anti-cancer ones. I don’t need to prescribe those drugs in my practice. I have seen the efficacy of Ranbaxy drugs and I will prescribe them if needed. But it is good for hospitals to issue such cautions.”
A senior doctor said the only take-home lesson from the Ranbaxy fiasco for the Indian consumer was that drug companies have separate manufacturing facilities for local and export markets. “Why should Indian consumers be treated differently?” he asked.