DCA cracks down on illegal drug stocking, misleading ads in Sangareddy, Adilabad

Hyderabad: The Drugs Control Administration (DCA) of Telangana recently conducted two separate raids flagging illegal drug stocking and misleading advertising of a supposed Ayurvedic product.

54 varieties of medicines seized in Sangareddy

On November 8, the DCA officials raided an unlicensed premises at JP Colony, Patancheru Village, Sangareddy District, based on credible information. The officials uncovered many types of drugs stocked for sale illegally without a license.

Police found that the suspect, Bachu Sai Charan, was storing drugs at his residence for distribution.

The seized stock included 54 varieties of medicines such as antibiotics, steroids, antidiabetic drugs, antihypertensive drugs, antiulcer medications and analgesics, totalling a value of Rs 1.51 lakhs.

The raid team included drugs inspectors M Chandrashekhar from Patancheru, G Srikanth from Jinnaram and T Praveen Kumar from Bollaram who also collected samples of the drugs and sent them for analysis.

Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, stocking drugs for sale without a license is a punishable offence, carrying a potential imprisonment of up to five years. The DCA emphasised that wholesalers and dealers who supply drugs to unlicensed individuals will also face legal consequences.

“Stringent action will be taken against such wholesalers and dealers. They shall mandatorily ensure that the recipient entities hold a valid drug licence before supplying medicines to them,” warned DCA officials.

Misleading claims on Ayurvedic medicine in Adilabad

In a separate incident, DCA officials in Telangana seized stocks of ‘Mukta Vati Extra Power Tablets’, a supposed Ayurvedic medicine marketed with a claim of treating high blood pressure.

This flouts the directions of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. The law prohibits advertising drugs as treatments for specific diseases, including high blood pressure.

The raid, conducted at a medical store in Ichoda Village, Adilabad District, was led by drugs inspector A Srilatha.

The seized product, manufactured by Divya Pharmacy in Haridwar, Uttarakhand, bore a label that claimed to treat high blood pressure, a violation of advertising regulations.

The DCA reiterated that misleading advertisements for drug treatments are punishable under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, which includes potential imprisonment for up to six months, a fine or both.

“After further investigation action will be taken as per the law against all offenders,” the officials stated.

The public urged to report suspicious drug activities

The DCA encouraged the public to report any suspected drug-related manufacturing or sales activities occurring in residential, commercial or industrial areas. Complaints regarding illegal drug activities can be reported to the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana’s toll-free number 1800-599-6969, available from 10:30 am to 5 pm on all working days.