DCA Telangana raids unlicensed clinics, seizes illegal drugs

Hyderabad: The Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Telangana, conducted a series of raids across multiple locations on November 19, 2024, uncovering unlicensed drug sales, misleading advertisements, and falsely manufactured medicines. The operations aimed to ensure compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and safeguard public health.

Raid on Unlicensed Premises in Mahabubabad District

Acting on credible information, DCA officials raided an unlicensed premises in Thanamcherla Village, Maripeda Mandal, Mahabubabad District.

Nimmani Kotaiah, the owner, had been illegally stocking veterinary drugs worth ₹53,691 without a valid license. The seized drugs included physician’s samples, expired drugs, institutional supply drugs, and salable medicines.

Samples of 72 varieties of veterinary medicines were taken for analysis, and further investigations are underway.

Speaking about the issue, S. Umarani, Drugs Inspector, Mahabubabad, emphasized, “Stocking drugs for sale without a drug license is punishable under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with imprisonment of up to five years. Wholesalers must ensure recipients hold valid licenses before supplying medicines.”

Raids on Clinics Operated by Quacks

DCA teams raided clinics in Mahabubnagar, Wanaparthy, and Khammam districts operated by unqualified individuals posing as Rural Medical Practitioners. Medicines worth ₹99,650 were seized during these raids.

The details of the offenders and locations are:

• Md. Gulam Rasool, D.No.1-18, Chowdarpally Village, Gandeed Mandal, Mahabubnagar District: 49 varieties of drugs, including one expired drug.

• Mohammed Khaja Moinuddin, Sugur Village, Pebbair Mandal, Wanaparthy District: 38 varieties of drugs.

• Inapanuri Jeevaratnam alias Jeevankumar, D.No.1-31, Adasarlapadu Village, Vemsoor Mandal, Khammam District: 28 varieties of drugs.

The seized items included antibiotics, steroids, analgesics, antidiabetics, and antihypertensives. Higher-generation antibiotics like Norfloxacin and Cefixime were also found.

Officials also discovered steroids such as Dexamethasone and Prednisolone. Misuse of steroids can cause immune suppression, hormonal imbalances, and cardiovascular issues.

Seizure of Falsely Manufactured Drugs in Medchal

In Medchal, the DCA seized Feroze-XT Tablets, falsely manufactured under a food license. The tablets, marketed as nutraceuticals, contained Ferrous Ascorbate, Folic Acid, and Zinc, which classify them as drugs under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Misleading Advertisements Seized Across Telangana

The DCA also seized medicines with misleading claims in violation of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. The products and their claims are as follows:

• VOLIRUN Oil (Ayurvedic): Claimed to treat rheumatism (manufactured by Ruhani Herbals, Punjab).

• Tulasi Leaf Choornam (Ayurvedic): Claimed to treat fevers (manufactured by Maddi Pharmaceuticals, Secunderabad).

• Madhuriktha Powder (Ayurvedic): Claimed to treat diabetes (manufactured by Samraksha Ayurvedic Pharmacy, Kukatpally).

• ED PHENICOL Eye Capsules (Allopathic): Claimed to treat eye infections (manufactured by Eamon Drugs Pvt. Ltd., Indore).

• Urisis Kit (Ayurvedic): Claimed to treat kidney stones (manufactured by Ruhani Herbals, Punjab).

Public Awareness and Reporting

The DCA has urged the public to report illegal activities concerning drugs, including manufacturing, storage, and sale without valid licenses. Complaints can be made through the DCA’s toll-free number: 1800-599-6969, operational from 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM on all working days.

Enforcement and Future Action

The Drugs Control Administration reiterated that strict action will be taken against offenders and those supplying drugs to unlicensed entities. V.B. Kamalasan Reddy, IPS, Director General of Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, stated, “We are committed to ensuring public safety and enforcing the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Violations will not be tolerated, and offenders will face the full extent of the law.”