Torrent Pharma shares slip after CDSCO says Shelcal 500 fails its quality test

The list of "not of standard quality" (NSQ) drugs includes popular medicines like antacid Pan D, and calcium supplement Shelcal,

Torrent Pharmaceuticals shares opened with minor losses on September 27 after its product, Shelcal 500, failed a quality test conducted by Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO).

The pharma major has refuted the findings, clarifying that a batch of Shelcal 500 drug that failed the CDSCO test has not been manufactured by the company, and is 'spurious.' In a recent test, CDSCO had reported that more than 50 drugs were 'not of standard quality', raising concerns over safety.

At 9.15 am, shares of Torrent Pharma were quoting Rs 3,396 on the NSE, lower by 0.4 percent compared to the previous session's close.

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In August, the CDSCO had prohibited more than 156 fixed-dose combination drugs from the Indian market.

To verify the genuineness of the sample collected by CDSCO, an evaluation was conducted, said Torrent. "The outcome of the analysis concluded that the sample seized by CDSCO is not manufactured by Torrent and is in fact non-genuine and spurious."

Torrent said it has implemented QR codes displaying the batch manufacturing details to verify authenticity, which was found lacking in the seized samples of Shelcal. Torrent has already submitted the response and assessment report to CDSCO.

The list of "not of standard quality" (NSQ) drugs includes popular medicines like antacid Pan D, calcium supplement Shelcal, anti-diabetic drug Glimepiride, high blood pressure drug Telmisartan, among others.

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