The High Court on Monday upheld its earlier order that banned production and marketing of 34 substandard pharmaceuticals companies.

The Court had previously directed the government to stop production of the medicines of 20 out of the 34 pharmaceutical companies, and antibiotic of the rest of the companies on charges of manufacturing drugs that were sub-standard.

The order was passed by the High Court bench of Justices Syed Mohammed Dastagir and Ataur Rahman Khan came after hearing of a rule.

The bench also ordered the government to form a five-member committee to monitor whether the directives are implemented. The committee will submit report to the High Court on a quarterly basis.

The petition was filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh saying that the medicines of the 34 companies are reportedly still in the market although the High Court had asked the authorities to stop their production.

 The 20 drug companies are Aexim Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Avert Pharma Ltd, Bikolpo Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Dolphin Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Drugland Ltd, Globe Laboratories (pvt) Ltd, Jalpha Laboratories Ltd, Kafma Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Medico Pharmaceuticals Ltd, National Drug Pharma Ltd, North Bengal Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Remo Chemicals Ltd (Pharma Division), Rid Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Skylab Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Spark Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Star Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Sunipun Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Today Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Tropical Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Universal Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

The 14 companies that must stop manufacturing antibiotics are Ad Din Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Alkad Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Belsen Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Bengal Drugs Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Bistol Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Crystal Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Indo Bangla Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Millat Pharmaceuticals Ltd, MST Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Orbit Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Pharmatik Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Phoenix Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Rasa Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Save Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

The Appellate Division on June 15 had upheld the High Court order.

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