DCA seizes fake kidney stones, fever ‘medicines’ in Narsingi, Khammam

Hyderabad: In an enforcement action, the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) of Telangana seized several batches of medicines being marketed with misleading advertisements and raided a clinic for unauthorised drug sales.

Seizure of misleading ayurvedic and homeopathic medicines

On July 25 and 26, DCA officials conducted a special drive to detect and seize medicines sold with misleading claims. The raids resulted in the confiscation of two products:

Pathri Saaf Capsules and Syrup: This ayurvedic product, manufactured by Laborate Pharmaceuticals, was found at a medical shop in Narsingi, Rangareddy district. The labels falsely claimed to treat kidney stones, a violation of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

Ague Nil Syrup: A homeopathic medicine produced by Bhargava Phyto Labs was seized from a shop in Khammam. The product’s labelling claimed to treat fever, was also prohibited under the same act.

D. Swetha Bindu, drugs inspector, Gandipet, and Ch Anil Kumar, drugs inspector, Khammam, led the raids. DCA officials emphasised that advertising for treatments such as kidney stones and fever is illegal and punishable under the law, which can result in imprisonment of up to six months, fines or both.

Unauthorised sale of allopathic medicines by homoeopathic practitioner

In a separate operation, the DCA raided the clinic of a homoeopathic practitioner, Chavan Vinod, located in Puranapool here.

The raid on Thursday uncovered a stockpile of allopathic drugs, including higher-generation antibiotics, which were being sold without the necessary drug license. The stock, valued at approximately Rs 24,000, was seized.

B Lakshmi, drugs inspector, Charminar, and T Rajamouli, assistant director, Hyderabad, supervised the operation. The DCA highlighted the public health risks of unauthorised drug sales, including the potential for antimicrobial resistance.

The DCA warned that wholesalers and dealers supplying medicines to unlicensed entities could also face severe penalties under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The act mandates that medicines can only be sold by licensed entities, and violations can lead to imprisonment for up to five years.

Public advisory

The DCA urges the public to report any suspicious drug-related activities, including unauthorised manufacturing or sale, by contacting the toll-free number 1800-599-6969, operational from 10:30 am to 5 pm on working days.

VB Kamalasan Reddy, IPS, director general of the Drugs Control Administration, emphasised the commitment to strict enforcement of the law to protect public health and ensure the safe distribution of medicines.