New Delhi, July 19 -- The 30 June explosion, which ripped through Sigachi Industries Ltd's pharmaceutical plant in Hyderabad, has left the already bruised reputation of India's pharmaceutical manufacturing industry in tatters.

which claimed the lives of 44 workers and critically injured 33 more, with eight officially listed as "missing"-has once again put the spotlight on shortcomings in occupational safety and GMP (good manufacturing practice) compliance in India's pharmaceutical sector.

The industrial accident also exposes the huge gaps in regulatory oversight and enforcement.

That can have disastrous consequences because this not only endangers the lives of the workers, but also the lives of residents living near such plants. Beside...