The Washington Department of Health is reviewing a complaint that Sun Pharmaceuticals (SUNPHARMA) has been distributing samples of medicines in the state for more than two years without the necessary license, the second time one of the world’s largest generic drug makers has been probed for such an infraction amid scrutiny of several of its business practices.
A department spokeswoman explained that the complaint is currently being reviewed, but this is in the “very early stages of the process” and that the state Pharmacy Commission must still determine whether there is sufficient evidence to warrant a full-blown investigation. She did not say, though, how long this may take or whether a timeline exists to make a decision.
Sun Pharma recently faced a similar problem in Alabama, where the state Board of Pharmacy was weighing whether to renew a permit to distribute medicines after discovering the company was shipping products after its permit expired nearly two years ago. As part of a consent order, the board granted Sun a license and the company paid a $21,000 fine.
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