The US government will not source drugs under its global AIDS drug supply programme from one of the Ranbaxy Laboratories plants in India.

At present, the US government buys three AIDS drugs from Ranbaxy under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) programme for supply to patients globally, including several African countries. In 2007, Ranbaxy sold AIDS drugs worth $9 million under the PEPFAR.

“Funds cannot be used to support new orders, for the three Ranbaxy drugs, Zidovudine, Lamivudine and Nevirapine, manufactured at Poanta Sahib (Himachal Pradesh) plant in India, said a news agency report quoting an unnamed spokesperson of PEPFAR. Ranbaxy stocks closed at a 52-week low of Rs 296.20 at the BSE, down 4.7% from Wednesday’s close.

The US Food and Drug Administration on September 17 banned the import of over 30 drugs manufactured at Ranbaxy’s two plants in India citing violations of US manufacturing standards. However, FDA said that it has no evidence to prove that Ranbaxy’s drugs were harmful or have any adverse effects.

Ranbaxy reiterated that it is co-operating with the US authorities to solve all regulatory issues. “Ranbaxy is confident that all its pharmaceutical products are safe and effective, including the HIV/AIDs drugs it supplies to Africa through various aid programmes, including PEPFAR.

Ranbaxy is committed to working with chairman Dingell and FDA to put these matters to rest and continue and expand its important place in providing safe and affordable medications to US and global citizens,” a company spokesperson said.

Last week, a four-member committee of the House of Energy and Commerce said it is investigating the safety and effectiveness of AIDS drugs supplied by Ranbaxy through the program.

It also wrote to US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice seeking details about the government’s communications about Ranbaxy and its drugs provided under the government program.

In July, the US department of justice had alleged that the Indian company fabricated data to supply drugs under the programme. Indian companies have the highest number of approvals to supply drugs to the US government under the programme.