Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Tuesday said it has issued "stop production orders" to as many as 16 pharmaceutical units for serious violations of norms, an action which comes after the regulator carried out inspection of 655 pharma manufacturing facilities in the last three months in the state.

An official release issued by the FDA said the state agency enforces the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945, and as part of its mandate carries out regular inspection of entities covered under the legislation. The law regulates the production and sale of medicines and cosmetics in the state.