Sat Jan 24 15:15:24 UTC 2026: ### Headline: Kerala Human Rights Commission Expedites Legal Action Against Pharma Firm for Drug Mismatch at Regional Cancer Centre

The Story:
The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has directed the swift completion of legal proceedings against a pharmaceutical firm responsible for a critical drug label mismatch at the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) in Thiruvananthapuram. The incident, discovered on July 9, 2025, involved a chemotherapy drug intended for lung cancer being incorrectly packaged and labeled as a drug for brain cancer. The SHRC took suo motu cognizance of the matter following media reports and initiated a comprehensive inquiry.

The directive was issued by SHRC chairperson, former judge Alexander Thomas, after the RCC director’s report confirmed the mismatch. State Drugs Controller confiscated five packs of the mislabeled drugs and initiated legal action. The responsible pharmaceutical firm has also been blacklisted. The SHRC has ordered the RCC director to ensure the legal proceedings against the company are completed without delay.

Key Points:

  • Incident occurred at the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC) in Thiruvananthapuram.
  • On July 9, 2025, RCC pharmacy staff discovered a drug label mismatch during dispensing.
  • Temozolomide 100mg (for brain cancer) was found mislabeled as Etoposide 50mg (chemotherapy drug).
  • The Kerala State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) registered a suo motu case.
  • SHRC chairperson, former judge Alexander Thomas, directed expedited legal proceedings.
  • The State Drugs Controller confiscated five packs of mislabeled drugs and initiated legal action.
  • The responsible pharmaceutical firm has been blacklisted.

Key Takeaways:

  • The incident highlights potential serious errors in pharmaceutical packaging and labeling, posing a significant risk to patient safety.
  • The SHRC’s swift response demonstrates a commitment to accountability and patient rights in the healthcare sector.
  • Blacklisting the pharmaceutical firm sends a strong message regarding the consequences of negligence in drug manufacturing and supply.
  • The importance of vigilant pharmacy staff in detecting errors and preventing potentially harmful medication errors is underscored.

Impact Analysis:

This event is likely to have a substantial impact on quality control protocols within the pharmaceutical industry and healthcare institutions. It may trigger more stringent inspection and verification procedures for drug labeling and packaging to prevent similar incidents in the future. There may also be renewed focus on the roles of the SHRC and State Drugs Controller in safeguarding patient safety and enforcing pharmaceutical regulations. The incident can lead to the re-evaluation of contracts between hospitals and pharmaceutical companies, with a focus on liability clauses in case of similar medical mishaps.

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