Slipshod drug factory practices are more common than most people would ever imagine

I’ve told you about the deplorable conditions in many U.S. drug plants. Recently, as if to offer a perfect example, we had a stunning recall.

Ranbaxy Laboratories makes generic Lipitor. Late last year, the company recalled more than 36 lots of their generic version of the drug. Some pills may have contained glass particles.

Glass. Nice!

I mean, contamination is one thing. But with glass particles?

Industry insiders aren’t exactly shocked. Ranbaxy is an Indian company. But they also have manufacturing plants in the U.S. And they have a reputation for being less than squeaky clean.

Last year, U.S. investigators cited Ranbaxy for violations in the company’s Indian drug plants. Among other things, they failed to maintain procedures to prevent sterile drug contamination. The company also filed false data in drug applications with the FDA.

And these are the people who are now bringing us the world’s best selling drug!

We didn’t really need another reason to NOT take Lipitor. But now we have it.

Sources:
“Ranbaxy Stumbles Again: Generic Lipitor is Recalled” Ed Silverman, Pharmalot, 11/23/12, pharmalot.com