Lupine, one of the top five drug manufacturers in the country, has the largest market in North America (File)
Ahmedabad:
Drugmaker Lupine Limited has closed one of its manufacturing plants in Gujarat after at least 17 employees at the site tested positive for the coronavirus, two government officials said on Tuesday.
Lupine, one of the top five drug manufacturers in the country, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The company has some 11 manufacturing plants at the 40-hectare Ankleshwar Gujarat site, which has 984 employees, according to the company’s website.
Employees of one of these factories, which produce anti-tuberculosis drugs, have been positive in recent days, said MD Modia, a senior district official.
“The factory was closed on July 12 after confirmation of the cases,” said Modia, adding that the site had since been cleaned up.
“No cases have been reported in other factories at the facility and their operation is not affected,” he said.
Other employees who have come in contact with those who tested positive are also being tested, said another senior Bharuch district government official.
Lupine makes everything from heart drugs to asthma and diabetes drugs that are sold in more than 100 countries, its largest market being North America.
While the number of infections with the new coronavirus has decreased in many countries, in India, cases have increased by the thousands in recent weeks.
India reported 9.06,752 cases of coronavirus with 28,498 new infections reported on Tuesday, according to data from the Federal Ministry of Health, the third highest total in the world behind Brazil and the United States.
