200 injectable polio vaccine vials sold in open market

NASHIK: The state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stumbled upon 200 injectable polio vaccine vials that found their way into the open market even though they were meant for government hospitals.

While 100 vials were found with a stockist in Aurangabad, an equal number of vials was supplied to a Nashik-based stockist. FDA authorities managed to recall the entire consignment from the Aurangabad stockist. The FDA has directed the Nashik stockist to immediately recall the 88 vials he has sold to drug stores.

FDA authorities on Monday lodged an FIR against the distributors in Nashik, Aurangabad and Ahmednagar at the Sarkarwada police station in Nashik city. Joint commissioner of FDA (drugs) Vijay Jadhav told TOI that the polio vaccine, ShanIPV, manufactured by a Hyderabad pharmaceutical firm, is meant to be used in government hospitals only. Jadhav said an Ahmednagar-based distributor procured the vaccine from a wholesaler.

"The distributor purchased the vaccines from an Ahmedabad-based wholesaler without any bill. But while selling it to the stockist, he would give them bills," Jadhav said, adding that each vial was sold for Rs 2,100.

"When we quizzed the Nashik stockist, he informed us that he has received the consignment from the distributor based in Ahmednagar. The distributor confessed that he procured the consignment from the Ahmedabad wholesaler and later sold it to the Aurangabad and Nashik stockists," Jadhav said.

The Hyderabad firm told FDA authorities that it had not sold such vaccines in the open market - it produces such vaccines only for use in government hospitals. "We have sent samples of the vaccine for lab tests to ascertain the quality of the vials supplied in Aurangabad and Nashik," he said.