DHAKA: The High Court on Monday (February 27) directed the government to stop production and marketing of antibiotic, and hormone drugs of 28 companies by 72 hours.

An HC bench comprising Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice Md Ataur Rahman Khan came up with the order after holding a hearing on a writ petition in this regard.

The court also issued a rule asking the authorities concerned to explain in four weeks why their inaction to stop production and marketing of those drugs should not be declared illegal.

Secretaries of health and industries, health directorate DG, directorate of national consumer rights protection DG, Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) president, IG of police and RAB DG were made respondents in the rule.

The 28 companies are: Amico Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Aztec Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Bengal Techno Pharma Ltd., Benham Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Central Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Decent Pharma Ltd., TIMS Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Globex Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Greenland Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Inova Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Max Drugs Ltd., Medimet Laboratories Ltd., Modern Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Mystic Pharmaceuticals Ltd., National Laboratories Ltd., Organic Health Care Ltd., Wester Pharma Ltd., Premier Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Prime Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Sima Pharmaceuticals Ltd., White Horse Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Momtaz Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Unique Pharmaceuticals Ltd., United Chemical & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., FNF Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Techno Drugs Ltd. Unit-1, Unit-2, and Unit-3.

Lawyer Manjil Morshed filed the writ on behalf of Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.

BDST: 1945 HRS, FEB 27, 2017
SR