DCA officials raided clinics, seized overpriced medicines in Khammam

Hyderabad: The Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Telangana, executed two significant operations on 20th February, targeting both overpriced medicines and clinics run by unqualified practitioners.

Seizure of Overpriced Medicines:

DCA officials seized two medicines - Meroamp 1000 Injection and Itradol-200 Capsules - for violating the price control regulations set by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA). The Meroamp 1000 Injection, sold under the brand name 'Meroamp 1000 Injection,' and Itradol-200 Capsules, sold under 'Itradol-200 Capsules,' were found to have Maximum Retail Prices (MRP) significantly exceeding the Ceiling Prices fixed by the Central Government.

Dr. T. Rajamouli, Assistant Director, Hyderabad, and other officers conducted the raid at Yousufguda, Hyderabad, seizing Meroamp 1000 Injection. Simultaneously, Anjum Abida, Assistant Director, Rangareddy, and other officers carried out the operation at Hayathnagar, Rangareddy District, seizing Itradol-200 Capsules.

The excess prices charged for Meroamp 1000 Injection amounted to Rs. 2,433 per vial, with a total stock worth Rs. 28,000 seized. Similarly, Itradol-200 Capsules were found to have an excess charge of Rs. 12.73 per capsule, resulting in a stock seizure worth Rs. 67,500.

Dr. A Srikanth, Secretary, IDA, Deccan, emphasized the importance of early detection, stating, "Oral cancer can be cured if found and treated at an early stage. Dental doctors often find oral cancer in its early stages because the mouth and lips are easy to examine."

Raids on Quack Clinics:

In a parallel operation, DCA officials raided clinics operated by quacks in Gadepadu Village, Singareni Mandal, Khammam District, and Pashamylaram Village, Patancheru Mandal, Sangareddy District. Quacks MD. Ismail and G. Nageshwar Rao, claiming to be 'Rural Medical Practitioners,' were found practicing medicine without qualification.

DCA officials, including K. Devender Reddy and M. Varaprasad, seized drugs worth Rs. 2.30 lakhs stocked for sale at the raided clinics. The stocks included antibiotics, analgesics, anti-ulcer drugs, antihypertensives, and more.

Drugs Control Administration Director General, V.B. Kamalasan Reddy, highlighted the potential consequences of indiscriminate antibiotic sales, stating, "Indiscriminate sale of antibiotics, by an unqualified person may have disastrous consequences on the health of rural public, including the emergence of 'Antimicrobial Resistance.'"

“Further investigations will be conducted, and stringent actions will be taken against all offenders, including wholesalers/dealers supplying medicines to unqualified practitioners” said Dr. Srikanth.