In connection with the incident at the Regional Cancer Center (RCC) in Thiruvananthapuram where there was a discrepancy in drug labeling where a lung cancer chemotherapy drug was packed in a carton marked as brain cancer drugs, the Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has ordered that legal proceedings against the pharmaceutical firm that supplied the drugs be expedited and completed.
The directive was issued by the chairman of the commission, former Justice Alexander Thomas, in a matter registered suo motu based on media reports. The commission had previously ordered a comprehensive investigation into the matter.
According to a report submitted to the commission by the director of RCC, on July 9 last year, RCC pharmacy staff discovered a label discrepancy while dispensing medication to a patient. They found that in a set of ten packs of Temozolomide 100 mg, two packs were labeled Etoposide 50 mg. In fact, another drug was found in the package of another drug.
After discovering the mistake, the state drug inspector seized five packages of drugs and presented them to the court. Legal action was taken against the company that supplied the drug and according to the drug controller who appeared before the commission, the company was also blacklisted.
The chairman issued orders directing the director of the RCC to ensure that the legal action against the company is terminated without delay.
Published – 24 Jan 2026 20:45 IST
