SC seeks reply from health ministry on adulteration allegations against Ranbaxy

New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Monday sought Health Ministry's response on allegations of adulteration of drugs manufactured by Ranbaxy Laboratories.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate M L Sharma, has sought the shutting down the three plants, located in Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and New Delhi on charges of adulteration.

The apex court has asked the ministry to probe the matter. The Supreme Court has posted the matter for hearing after two weeks.

The Supreme Court had last month directed Ranbaxy to respond to a PIL seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly supplying adulterated drugs in the country. The apex court had also asked the government to reply to the plea that sought the court's direction for cancellation of the drug major's licence.

M L Sharma had contended that "Ranbaxy was fined USD 500 million by the US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) for making and selling adulterated drugs" and sought a CBI probe against the drug maker.