The import of more than 30 generic drugs manufactured by Ranbaxy, India's largest pharmaceutical company, has been blocked by the United States on grounds of poor quality at its two factories. Among the banned Ranbaxy drugs also includes popular antibiotic Cipro and cholesterol pill Zocor.  

It is the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that slapped the ban on Tuesday, September 16, 2008, but it does not plug the sales in the US by Ranbaxy. It only stops the import of drugs and pharmaceutical ingredients manufactured at the Dewas and Paonta Sahib plants of Ranbaxy in India. 

The said Ranbaxy plants were examined by the FDA earlier this year and violations detected, giving rise to apprehensions that it could lead to contamination, allergic reactions and other problems. Deborah Autor, director of FDA's compliance office said that the Indian drug major has not taken corrective measures.