Kota deaths fallout: Raj halts 24 drug batches, launches safety probe

Jaipur: After two patient deaths in the post-operative gynaecology ward at New Medical College and Hospital, Kota, Rajasthan’s food safety and drug control commissionerate has ordered an immediate halt on the sale and distribution of specified batches of 24 drugs and medical products used during treatment.

“Drug control officers from Kota and Bundi collected samples from the hospital to examine their quality, safety and compliance under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and related rules. Pending laboratory analysis by the Govt analyst, manufacturers, carrying and forwarding agents, stockists and wholesalers and Rajasthan Medical Services Corporation limited have been directed not to sell, distribute or supply the listed batches anywhere in Rajasthan,” said a senior health department official.

He said the order also required all entities in the supply chain to inform buyers who may already have received these batches and ensure the temporary stoppage is enforced without fail. Officials warned that any violation will invite legal action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

According to the health department, the action is precautionary and linked specifically to the listed batches, not to blanket bans on the products themselves. Authorities said the stoppage will remain in force until legal test reports are received. The directive has been marked “most urgent,” underscoring the seriousness of the Kota hospital deaths and the state’s effort to prevent any further risk to patients.

The batches placed under restriction are: Diclodeer Injection 3 ml, batch DC225077, manufactured by Dueful Healthcare Pvt Ltd, Jaipur; ThemiDol Tramadol Injection 50 mg/ml, batch ARTMD2504, by Themis Medicare Ltd, Gujarat; Tocin 1 ml Injection, batch 1-7881, by Jackson Laboratories Pvt Ltd, Amritsar; Tocin 1 ml Injection, batch 1-8386, also by Jackson Laboratories; Vomitcare Ondansetron Injection, batch SAI-25713F, by Sunvet Healthcare, Himachal Pradesh; BUPIARC Bupivacaine Hydrochloride Injection IP 0.5% w/v, batch BG26F1, by Arco Lifesciences, Nagpur; BUPIARC-DEXT Bupivacaine Hydrochloride in Dextrose Injection USP, batch BD26J3, by Arco Lifesciences; Medicath IV Catheter with integrated 3-way stop cock, batch 25K3014, by Global Medikit Ltd, Dehradun; and Activein+ disposable syringe 5 ml with needle, batch AC5D2611, by Shreyansh Healthcare Pvt Ltd.

Drugs supplied for free distribution to the patients across the state by state govt are withheld for release until receipt of legal test reports or further orders.