The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) has issued an important communication regarding the testing of drug samples across its hospitals, dispensaries, and central medical stores. The advisory aims to prevent duplication of drug testing and ensure effective coordination among various ESIC institutions.
The circular refers to earlier instructions issued under No. U-25/12/Drug Policy/2014-Med.V Part-I, dated 21 January 2015, and provides updated directions for sharing and referencing drug sample test reports already conducted.
📌 Key Directive
The ESIC has instructed that:
“The test reports of drug samples received from various ESIC offices and hospitals are being sent along with attachments to prevent repetition of drug testing that has already been conducted.”
This initiative will help avoid redundant laboratory testing, reduce costs, and ensure faster availability of verified drug quality results across ESIC’s nationwide network.
🏥 Institutions Involved
The latest compilation of test results and reports includes submissions from:
- Central Medical Stores, ESI Scheme, Ahmedabad (Gujarat)
- ESIC Model Hospital & PGIMSR, Basaidarapur, New Delhi
- ESIC Model Hospital, Rajajinagar, Bangalore
Each institution submitted detailed lists of pharmaceutical firms, drug names, batch numbers, drug licenses, and testing details, along with corresponding laboratory reports.
🔬 Key Drug Samples Reported
| Sr. No | Name of Pharmaceutical Firm | Drug Name / Formulation | Testing Lab / Govt. Agency | Report Date |
| 1 | Morepen Laboratories Ltd., Solan (H.P.) | Rosuvastatin Calcium Tablets IP 10mg | — | 24.09.2025 |
| 2 | Biodeal Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Solan (H.P.) | Doxofylline Tablets IP (CGDOX400) | — | 24.09.2025 |
| 3 | Manor Organics Pvt. Ltd., Haridwar | Serratiopeptidase Tablets 5 mg | CDTL, Mumbai | 16.09.2025 |
| 4 | Windlas Biotech Ltd., Dehradun | Clinhert Tablets | — | 10.09.2025 |
| 5 | Cipla Ltd., Sikkim | Warf 2 Tablets | CDTL, Mumbai | 12.09.2025 |
| 6 | Overseas Healthcare, Phillaur | Flavate / Ezorb Forte Tablets | — | 24.09.2025 |
| 7 | Ultra Drugs Pvt. Ltd., Solan | Mefenamic + Tranexamic Acid Tablets | — | 12.09.2025 |
| 8 | Micron Pharma, Gujarat | Gabapentin Tablets / Povidone Iodine | — | 24.09.2025 |
(Full details provided in annexed lists circulated by ESIC Headquarters.)
🏭 Drug Testing Laboratories Referenced
The following Government and Private Laboratories are among those mentioned for conducting or reporting results of drug sample analyses:
- Central Drugs Testing Laboratory (CDTL), Mumbai
- ITL Labs Pvt. Ltd.
- Jagdamba Laboratories (OPC) Pvt. Ltd.
- Satiate Research & Anatech Pvt. Ltd.
These accredited laboratories assist ESIC in quality assurance and NSQ (Not of Standard Quality) investigations under the Drug and Cosmetics Act.
📄 Key Purpose and Benefits
| Objective | Description |
| Avoid Duplication | Prevent repetitive testing of already analyzed drug batches across multiple ESIC units. |
| Centralize Reporting | Enable unified access to drug test results from various ESIC hospitals and stores. |
| Ensure Cost Efficiency | Reduce unnecessary expenditure on multiple laboratory tests. |
| Maintain Quality Standards | Facilitate compliance with national drug quality and safety norms. |
📘 Background
ESIC regularly collects drug samples from its hospitals and dispensaries for quality testing under its Drug Policy Framework. The process ensures that medicines supplied through ESIC facilities meet pharmacopoeial standards and are free from NSQ issues.
However, duplication of testing across institutions was leading to resource wastage and delays. Hence, this circular ensures shared access and mutual acknowledgment of test results already conducted by any ESIC establishment.
🗂️ Example: Drug Samples from ESIC Rajajinagar (Bangalore)
| Drug Name | Lab | Amount (₹) | Batch No | Code |
| Adapalene Gel 0.1% | ITL Labs Pvt. Ltd. | 2200 | UMO25178 | 104/110 |
| Ketoconazole Oint. 2% | Jagdamba Labs | 2450 | 5143 | 621/926 |
| Inj. Clindamycin 600mg | Satiate Research & Anatech Pvt. Ltd. | 3500 | 1325302 | 302/403 |
| Pantoprazole Inj. 40mg | Jagdamba Labs | 3000 | PFT-269 | 168/213 |
| Metoprolol Succinate 23.75mg | Jagdamba Labs | 2200 | MER2145D | 228/290 |
🔔 Implementation & Next Steps
All ESIC hospitals, dispensaries, and central medical stores are directed to:
- Share copies of existing drug test reports with the ESIC Headquarters and regional institutions.
- Verify drug batch numbers before sending new samples for testing.
- Avoid resubmission of samples already tested and reported.
Conclusion
The ESIC’s latest step to streamline the drug sample testing process demonstrates its commitment to efficiency, transparency, and quality assurance in pharmaceutical procurement and distribution. By curbing duplication and fostering information-sharing among institutions, ESIC strengthens both its drug monitoring system and public trust in ESI healthcare services.