What could be worse than Lipitor? How about Lipitor pills contaminated with glass particles?

Generic drugs are identical to their brand name counterparts.

Well, that’s the theory. In practice, it can get ugly.

Ranbaxy Laboratories makes generic Lipitor. Recently, the company recalled more than 36 lots of their generic version of the drug. The pills might contain glass particles.

Glass. Nice!

Last week I told you about the deplorable conditions in many U.S. drug plants. This week, as if to offer a perfect example, we have this stunning recall.

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.

Earlier this 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’ve got it.

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