The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare yesterday decided to revoke licences of 20 drug companies for failing to manufacture quality medicines.

The decision was made based on recommendations of an expert committee.

Prof ABM Faruque who led the experts presented a report on manufacturing practices of 84 drug makers at a meeting on Wednesday of the parliamentary standing committee on the ministry. The report was submitted earlier in February.

The companies facing the action are Aexim Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Avert Pharma Ltd, Bikolpo Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Dolphin Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Drugland Ltd, Globe Laboratories (pvt) Ltd, Jalpha Laboratories Ltd, Kafma Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Medico Pharmaceuticals Ltd, National Drug Pharma Ltd, North Bengal Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Remo Chemicals Ltd (Pharma Division), Rid Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Skylab Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Spark Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Star Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Sunipun Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Today Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Tropical Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Universal Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

According to the report on the evaluation done by the experts for two years, the medicines produced without following the good manufacturing practices (GMP) will not meet the standards and might inflict damage to public health.

The experts suggested avoiding drugs of these non-compliant companies as the medicines could be fatal.

A day after the meeting of the parliamentary body, the health ministry sat with officials of the Directorate General of Drug Administration (DGDA).

Health Minister Mohammed Nasim asked the DGDA to implement the decision immediately, according to a statement of the ministry.

Yesterday's meeting chaired by the minister accepted in principle the other recommendations and decided to implement those after a review.

The expert committee identified 14 drug companies as incapable of producing quality antibiotics, and so recommended canceling their licences for producing all sorts of antibiotics. 

The companies are Ad Din Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Alkad Laboratories Ltd, Belsen Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Bengal Drugs & Chemicals (Pharma) Ltd, Bristol Pharma Ltd, Crystal Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Indo-Bangla Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Millat Pharmaceuticals Ltd, MST Pharma & Healthcare Ltd, Orbit Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Pharmik Laboratories Ltd, Phoenix Chemical Laboratory (pvt) Ltd, Rasa Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Save Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

The expert committee also recommended canceling approvals given to 22 companies as those were found incapable of manufacturing antibiotics of penicillin and cephalosporin groups.

The companies are Amico Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Aztec Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Bengal Techno Pharma Ltd, Benham Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Central Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Descent Pharma Ltd, Dr TIM's Laboratory Ltd, Globex Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Greenland Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Inova Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Maks Drugs Ltd, Medimet Laboratories Ltd, Modern Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Mystic Pharmaceuticals Ltd, National Laboratories Ltd, Organic Healthcare Ltd, Oyster Pharma Ltd, Premier Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Prime Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Seema Pharmaceuticals Ltd, United Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd and White Horse Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

They, however, have the ability to produce quality antibiotics of non-penicillin group, according to the report.

Three units of Techno Drugs Ltd failed to produce antibiotics of penicillin and cephalosporin groups and anti-cancer and hormonal medicines, complying with the GMP.

Therefore, these companies' licences to produce the said drugs should be scrapped, experts said.

Bangladesh has already earned reputation in manufacturing drugs of international standards and has a good export market, Prof ABM Faruque told The Daily Star. 

The authorities should ensure that all drug makers follow the GMP so that lives can be saved from adulterated drugs and also the image.