‘You are going overboard’: HC pulls up FDA, Cipla licence cancellation withdrawn

PUNE: Hours after the Bombay High Court accused the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) of going “overboard” and acting in a “high-handed” manner, the regulator on Saturday withdrew its order cancelling the drug sale licence of Cipla Pharma and Life Sciences Ltd’s carrying and forwarding (C&F) facility at Wadki in Pune Maharashtra FDA withdrew its cancellation of Cipla Pharma's drug sale license after court intervention. The Bombay High Court criticized the regulator for acting high-handedly and violating natural justice principles.

The court allowed the FDA to issue a fresh show cause notice and conduct a proper hearing. Cipla's license cancellation had prevented critical medicines from reaching patients. The FDA's order was passed on a public holiday without a proper hearing.