The Calcutta High Court has directed Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals Limited to halt all production for commercial purposes and has also sought the withdrawal of all stocks procured, including non-expired ones, by the West Bengal government. The state has also been asked to compensate families who lost their members due to alleged maternal deaths caused by substandard intravenous fluids.

Key Highlights:

1. High Court Order:

2. Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals Limited has been directed to stop production for commercial purposes until further notice.

3. The West Bengal government should retrieve all medicines it has bought from the company immediately.

  2.  Rehabilitation of Families:

• The court has directed the Mamata Banerjee government to compensate the families of the deceased who are said to have been affected by the "expired" Ringer's Lactate intravenous (IV) fluid.

• At least five maternal deaths have been reported that are linked to the low-quality IV fluid supplied by the company.

  3. Reported Cases:

• Mamoni Ruidas, a woman, died on January 10, two days after delivering her baby. She died due to expired IV fluid at Midnapore Medical College and Hospital (MMCH).

• A newborn of another patient, Rekha Shaw, died while under isolation and ventilation.

• The West Bengal government had earlier blacklisted Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals due to such incidents in Karnataka.

  4.  Government Action:

• Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the suspension of 12 doctors, including junior doctors and trainees, pending criminal investigation.

• A 13-member probe committee has been constituted to furnish an action taken report within a fortnight period.

  5.  Political Demands:

• BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari demanded the role of central agencies such as the CBI, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to investigate in the matter

  
  

• Statements from leaders or officials:

High Court Statement:
"The report must detail actions taken against Paschim Banga Pharmaceuticals and include steps to prevent future occurrences," the court directed.Health Department Official:
"An investigation has been initiated following complaints from the families of the deceased and critically ill patients," stated a senior health department official.Meanwhile, the CID and the state health department will investigate in detail and bring the culprits to book. The court's order has brought out how severe regulatory monitoring is required in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry to prevent such tragedies from happening again in the future.