Maharashtra FDA Withdraws Cipla Pune Facility Licence Cancellation in High Court

The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA), headquartered at the Bandra-Kurla Complex in Mumbai, has withdrawn its order cancelling the drug sale licence of Cipla Pharma & Life Sciences Ltd’s carrying and forwarding facility in Pune.

The regulatory body took back the cancellation order on Saturday after the Bombay High Court criticised the authority for "going overboard" in its enforcement action against the pharmaceutical company.

A High Court division bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Ravindra Ghuge and Justice Gautam Ankhad observed that the state regulator had acted in a "high-handed" manner. The judges noted that the authority's measure was taken against the established principles of natural justice.

Following the remarks from the bench, the regulator informed the court that it would withdraw the licence cancellation order immediately.

The FDA further submitted that it will issue a fresh show-cause notice to Cipla. The regulator stated that a reasoned order will subsequently be passed regarding the Pune facility after following the prescribed statutory procedure.