Centre Cancels Jackson Laboratories' Licences After Rajasthan Maternal Deaths Linked to Oxytocin

The central government has cancelled the manufacturing licences of Jackson Laboratories' units in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh following joint inspections by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and state drug regulators. The action comes amid ongoing investigations into the deaths of five women and kidney failure in six others at a Rajasthan government hospital after receiving oxytocin injections during Caesarean sections on May 4.

Inspections revealed deficiencies in compliance with good manufacturing practices (GMP) at the company's facilities. Based on these findings and recommendations from joint inspection teams, the respective state licensing authorities revoked the manufacturing licences of the concerned units.

Officials in the Union health ministry have sought a detailed report from the Rajasthan government to establish the facts surrounding the incident. Laboratory testing of drug samples and other investigations are underway to determine the exact cause of the adverse events. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also requested additional information from the Government of India following media reports linking the oxytocin injections to the incident. Officials stressed that WHO's request is part of the standard international process for assessing potential public health risks and should not be construed as a finding against either the product or the manufacturer.

Jackson Laboratories is a pharmaceutical company based in Himachal Pradesh, India, that manufactures a range of pharmaceutical products including oxytocin injections, which are commonly used to induce or strengthen uterine contractions during childbirth. The incident has raised concerns about the quality and regulation of generic drugs in India.