Leading pharmacy chain Apollo Pharmacy today said it has issued a “cautionary advisory” against drugs made by Ranbaxy Laboratories but it is still selling products manufactured by the Indian drug maker.
“A cautionary advisory was issued (over Ranbaxy drugs) based on concerns raised by the medical committee,” a spokesperson of Apollo Pharmacy said in a statement.
The pharmacy chain, a part of the Chennai-based healthcare major Apollo Hospitals, is however continuing to sell drugs made by Ranbaxy at its over 1,500 stores across the country.
“We have been working closely with Ranbaxy over the past week to verify all necessary certifications of their drugs,” the spokesperson, said adding the matter was in the process of being resolved as Ranbaxy continues to provide the necessary paperwork.
When contacted a spokesperson of Ranbaxy Laboratories said: “We have met the CEO of Apollo Pharmacies and they have expressed complete trust on us and assured full support. Consultants continue to prescribe our products and we have continuous supply of our products in Apollo Hospitals.”
Questions have been raised over drugs supplied by Ranbaxy after the company pleaded guilty to “felony charges” and agreed to pay $500 million penalty in May for violation of approved drug manufacturing standards at its two plants in India. It was the largest settlement by a generic medicine maker with US authorities till date.
The Mumbai-based Jaslok Hospital had also reportedly put restrictions on prescribing Ranbaxy Laboratories products.
“We have met CEO of Jaslok Hospital and he is satisfied with our response. We have started receiving orders,” the Ranbaxy spokesperson said, adding Gurgaon-based hospital Medanta continued to supply and prescribe Ranbaxy medicines.