The Department of Drugs Administration (DDA) has ordered the recall of the third-generation antibiotic Levoflux-500 tablets from the market after laboratory tests found that the quality was not up to standard.

The drug BB24001 batch manufactured by Magnus Pharma Pvt. Ltd. in Bara failed the solubility test as per the IP2022 standard, the department said.

The Levoflux sample, which was ordered to be recalled on Friday, was collected by drug inspectors in February 2025. But it took the department's laboratory almost a year to release the report that the drug was substandard. Officials are not sure whether the drugs are still in the market or have already been sold.

According to department officials, due to a shortage of manpower, it has not been possible to monitor whether all the recalled drugs have been withdrawn from the market. Currently, about 20 drug inspectors have to inspect about 25,000 pharmacies operating across the country.

'The drug may have already been sold and patients may have consumed substandard quantities,' said Narayan Dhakal, director general of the department. 'In most cases, it takes months for the test report to come after the sample is collected.'

'It is our responsibility to withdraw substandard drugs from the market,' Dhakal added, 'This step has been taken to ensure the quality of the drugs, minimize risks and hold the manufacturer accountable.'

According to officials, an investigation report will be sought from Magnus Pharma Pvt. Ltd. on the reason for the drug's failure in the quality test and the condition of the batch that was withdrawn.

Experts have pointed out that the risk of putting patients' health at risk if reports of substandard drugs take months or years to come.  'If patients take substandard drugs, their health can be seriously at risk,' said a former official of the department on condition of anonymity. 'Substandard drugs can worsen the patient's condition and in some cases can even lead to death.'