Ranbaxy to isolate Canada-bound drugs from HP unit

Indian pharmaceutical firm Ranbaxy has agreed to a Health Canada request to quarantine all drugs coming into the North American country from the Paonta Sahib manufacturing facility in Himachal Pradesh, Canadian Press reported on Thursday quoting the company.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Wednesday it was halting a review of new drug applications involving the Paonta Sahib plant because it had evidence of data falsification.

Health Canada provided no details of how many or what types of drugs Ranbaxy Canada imports to the country. Nor did it offer advice to people who might be taking those drugs.

"Health Canada is taking appropriate actions to mitigate the potential risks to the health and safety of Canadians," said the response, sent by spokesperson Alastair Sinclair. "Following Health Canada's request, Ranbaxy Canada has quarantined all products imported into Canada from the Paonta Sahib site," the response added.

"Health Canada continues to review all information to determine if there is a risk to health or whether further regulatory action is required," it said.