Patiala, April 9 -- The Punjab health department has issued an instant withdrawal of the Betadine ointment gel from all the government health centres across the state after it was found 'to be substandard' during quality tests routinely conducted by the central and state drug inspectors.

The sample of the said drug was taken on January 24, this year, and test results were received on Monday.

Soon after the test results, the Punjab health department issued an SOS to isolate and stop the use of the ointment gel.

"As per the lab report, Ointment Povidone USP B.no O14004A date of manufacturing 9/24, date of expiry 8/26 has been declared ' Not of Standard Quality'. Please withdraw the same from use and isolate them," reads the SOS message, ...