Suspension of three vaccine firms revoked

NEW DELHI - Two years after the suspension of licences of three state-run vaccine firms for not complying with required standards, the government Tuesday revoked the suspension and asked them to furnish quarterly reports.

The three vaccine producers are - Central Research Institute (CRI)-Kasauli, Pasteur Institute of India, Coonoor and BCG Vaccine Lab, Guindy.

While CRI was engaged in large-scale production of bacterial and viral vaccines, Pasteur is into producing anti-rabies vaccine and DPT group of vaccines and the BCG Vaccine Lab’s job is to produce BCG vaccine against tuberculosis.

“And whereas the entire matter has been carefully considered by the government…now, therefore, the central government, in exercise of its powers under Sub-rule (3) of Rule 85 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 hereby orders revocation, with immediate effect, the suspension of the above licence,” the health ministry said in its order for CRI Kasauli.

“The appellant institute shall ensure that the production line is made fully compliant with GMP (good manufacturing practice) standards within three years from the date of the issue of this order. During the said period, the Central Research Institute, Kasauli, shall furnish quarterly progress reports to the central government indicating the action taken in this regard,” the ministry said in it report.

“Similar orders have been issued for the other two units - Pasteur Institute of India and BCG Vaccine Lab,” a health ministry official said.