Punjab Drug Administration Commissionerate permits distilleries registered with Excise and Taxation Department to manufacture and supply sanitizers/ hand rubs

Chandigarh: In order to meet the growing demand of hand sanitizers/ hand rubs by the public in view of health emergency, Punjab Drug Administration Commissionerate has granted permission to distilleries registered with Excise and Taxation Department to manufacture and supply sanitizers/ hand rubs as per the formulation given by WHO, informed KS Pannu, Commissioner Food & Drug Administration Punjab.

However, the orders explicitly state that the permission is granted purely on temporary basis for a period of 10 days, keeping in view the emergency conditions due to spread of Corona virus. Moreover, the producer will make the supply to government / Government Institutions in the state of Punjab only and no part of it will be supplied outside the state.  It is also directed that the producer will use the standardized materials only and shall supply the material at price which shall not be more than the price fixed by GOI or Govt of Punjab.

Pannu informed that the Drug control officers of the area shall inspect the manufacturing units on daily basis to take stock of quality, and quantity of production and its supply and the units have been asked to maintain proper record of the manufacturing and supply of the material.

He said that in wake of the emergent conditions arising out of spread of Covid -19, it has become necessary to ensure the availability of essential medical items required for the prevention of spread of virus. Apart from the other measures taken by the GÓI and Govt of Punjab to contain Covid-19, it is essential to make hand sanitizers/hand rubs abundantly available for use of public, health workers and other functionaries associated with the task of prevention and spread of COVID-19 infection. There are reports that the demand of hand sanitizers/ hand rubs is growing day by day and the existing manufacturing facilities are not able to meet the expanding demand, said he and added that taking advantage of demand and supply mismatch many traders are indulging in black marketing of the product. Even the manufacturers are printing exorbitant prices on the labels of bottles of sanitizers.  So it is important to augment the production of hand sanitizers/ hand rubs. /( March 21)