Drug regulators crack down on illegal trade in medical oxygen

New Delhi: State drug controllers have launched a crackdown on illegal hoarding and sale of oxygen cylinders, government officials told ET.The rising number of Covid-19 cases has led to high demand for oxygen cylinders, leading to black marketing of the critical life-saving equipment.The Haryana state drug controller has directed manufacturers of medical oxygen to ensure preferential supply to dedicated Covid hospitals and all hospitals treating Covid patients. The regulator has also asked them to ensure that cylinders are sold at prices fixed by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), warning of prosecution in case of violations.“Haryana Food and Drugs Administration has issued directions to all air separation units situated in Haryana including Air Liquide Panipat and all medical oxygen manufacturing units filling medical oxygen cylinders using liquid oxygen from air separation units,” Narender Ahooja, state drugs controller told ET. “They have been strictly warned not to indulge in black marketing, profiteering and hoarding of medical oxygen,” Ahooja said. The Haryana state drug controller had also asked senior drugs control officers in the field to obtain production and sale records of medical oxygen and medical liquid oxygen under Section 18 of Drugs Act to ensure smooth supply chain of oxygen. “In case of any hoarding/black marketing or increase in price stringent action will be taken against the violators,” the notice from the regulator to manufacturers said.Medical oxygen is needed for the treatment and management of critical Covid-19 patients who are on oxygen or ventilation support.“Complaints of massive hoarding and black marketing of oxygen cylinders have come forward. In some cases, family members of patients were seen booking the cylinders in advance, anticipating the development of respiratory problems that would necessitate it,” another government official said. “Telangana Drug Control Administration had found discrepancies during inspections at manufacturing units and held 14 distributors. Police arrested people for illegally selling oxygen cylinders to individuals,” the official added. Medical Oxygen O2 IP is a drug and essential commodity. The NPPA had fixed the ceiling price of oxygen at ₹17.49 per cubic metre in an order dated March 20.

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