HC stays suspension order of Maharashtra FDA on Dr Reddy's C&F agent

HYDERABAD: Dr Reddy's Laboratories today said the Bombay High Court has granted an interim stay on an order issued by the Maharashtra drug controller (FDA) for a one-month suspension of wholesale licence of the company's clearing and forwarding agent in Bhiwandi near Thane.

The drug maker had approached the court seeking a stay on the state government's suspension order on the company's C&F agent after the state regulator found some 'violations' with regard to some samples found in the warehouse.

"The order relates only to the wholesale licence of the clearing and forwarding agent. In our opinion there has been no violation of any statute or regulation by the company and it has been in compliance," a spokesperson of Dr Reddy's said.

"The product being investigated is not a drug and is neither manufactured nor marketed by us. An interim stay has been granted on January 8 by the High Court for two weeks. Dr Reddy's shall approach the state (minister) on January 12 as directed by the court," he said.

The suspension is reportedly from January 12 to February 10, 2015, and the items in question here are hand sanitisers/hand wash made by a third-party vendor being used for promotional activities.

Shares of Dr Reddy's are trading at Rs 3,136.05 apiece, up 2.30 per cent, on BSE at 1330 hours.