Bribery for passing failed Dobutamine Injections: Pharma Company Owner, CDSCO drug inspector Arrested

As per recent media accounts, the CDSCO inspector allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 1.5 lakh in lieu of overlooking the deficits and approving a cardiac drug Dobutamine which already failed quality test conducted by the authority.

New Delhi: In a shocking incident, the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) drug inspector has been arrested under bribery charges by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

As per recent media accounts, the drug inspector allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 1.5 lakh in lieu of overlooking the deficits and approving a cardiac drug Dobutamine which already failed quality test conducted by the authority.

Dobutamine is commonly used in cardiac surgery to give a boost to cardiac functioning to treat acute heart failure.

The matter came to light after the agency received a tip-off about the alleged deal between the CDSCO officials working under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and others including the Managing Director, Director and Chief Pharmacist of Kwality Pharmaceuticals and a driver.

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The conspiracy was made after the Amritsar-based pharma company's dobutamine injections failed to clear test conducted by the CDSCO officials. The samples of the injections sent could not meet the standard and a report was sent to the pharma firm.

The MD of Kwality Pharma challenged the report and sent another set of injections to the test laboratories.

Meanwhile, the company's pharmacist in assistance with the director of the pharma company allegedly reached out to the CDSCO official and sought to "settle the matter” on July 18.

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The CDSCO inspector allegedly assured officials of Kwality pharma to settle the matter while discussing the bribe amount in exchange of a favourable decision. The drug inspector had reportedly pointed out the involvement of the senior officials of the CDSCO in the scam.

Later, the CDSCO official informed the pharma company that he would need to visit the company’s premises for an investigation as the second batch of samples had also failed to clear the test.

An FIR has been registered against the drug inspector and others from Kwality Pharma who have been booked. They were in CBI custody for four days as the CBI investigation continues in the case, report TH.

It is learnt that localities of the accused in Amritsar and Delhi were also raided.