Boehringer Mannheim To Shut Down Thane Unit For Probe

The company was forced to order the withdrawal of Comsat Forte earlier this month after it was found that many batches contained chemicals which reduce glucose levels in human body.

It is believed that the management has been directed to take this step by Food & Drugs Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, to facilitate investigation. FDA had earlier asked the company to stop only the production of the drug.

Sources within the company reveal the management has told all 300 workers of the Thane unit not to report to work from today's first shift. The company has assured them that their salaries will not be affected in any way. The management has also offered a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) for workers of the unit.

 

The workers' union, which had questioned the decision to shut down the plant, is planning to protest against the move. Comsat Forte was also being produced at the other plant in Mahad. Why is that plant not being shut down?

If the management is serious about quality, it should specify when the plant will resume functioning and when the investigations will be completed, sources in the union said.

It may be recalled that FDA had earlier ordered the company to stop producing Comsat Forte after it was found that certain batches of the drug contained glibenclamide, a glucose-lowering substance meant for diabetic patients.

FDA had also ordered the company to completely withdraw all Comsat preparations from the market. The drug is generally prescribed for patients suffering from urinary and respiratory track infections.