The High Court today directed the government to halt production of medicines by 20 pharmaceutical companies in seven days on charge of producing substandard drugs.

The 20 pharmaceuticals companies are: Axim, Avert, Bikolpo, Dolphin, Drugland, Globe, Alpha, Kafma, Medico, National drug, North Bangle, Remo chemicals, Rid Pharma, Skylab, Spark, Star, Sunipun, Today, Tropical and Universal.

The court also ordered the government to stop manufacturing antibiotics by 14 other drug companies for similar reasons.

Read more:Petition seeks licence cancellation of 20 drug companies

It also issued a ruling upon the authorities concerned of the government to explain as to why their inaction to cancel the licences of 20 pharmaceutical companies should not be declared illegal.

 The HC bench of Justice Syed Muhammad Dastagir Husain and Justice AKM Shahidul Huq came up with the order and ruling following a writ petition filed by Human Rights and Peace for Bangladesh.

The HRPB filed the petition with the HC on Sunday seeking the HC order upon the government to cancel licences of these drug companies.

The right to life of citizens has been violated due to manufacturing of substandard medicines, the petition said.