According to a report issued by the Central Drug Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), samples of the anesthetic drug propofol were suspected to have caused the deaths of five patients at PGI. These samples were found to be contaminated and failed to meet standards on multiple parameters such as sterility, Ph value, description, etc.

An official from the Drug Controller General of India stated that findings have prompted the DCGI to issue an alert to all state drug controllers asking them to take immediate action. In the meantime, CDSCO has issued a notice to the manufacturer to stop and withdraw the injection from the market.

The injection was manufactured by Nixi Private Laboratories in Himachal Pradesh. The company on its website mentioned that they are a WHO, GMP-GLP, and ISO-certified manufacturing facility established in 2019. Dr. Neeraj Kumar, special secretary, Health, HP, stated that they have asked the manufacturing company to recall and deposit all the samples of the batch to the DCGI office. He went on to say that the appropriate legal action would be taken.  

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/pharma/punjab-sedative-drug-samples-contaminated-says-central-agency/94550312 )