Telangana DCA cracks down on illegal drug sale in Mahabubabad, label tampering in Bhadradri-Kothagudem

Hyderabad: The Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Telangana, has uncovered illegal sale of habit-forming medicines in Mahabubabad district and seized label-tampered institutional supply drug stocks in Bhadradri–Kothagudem district during two separate enforcement actions conducted on February 6.

According to an official press note issued by the department, records and drug stocks were seized in both cases and further action is being taken under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.

Illegal Sale of Tramadol and Alprazolam Detected in Maripeda

Acting on intelligence inputs, DCA officials conducted a raid at Sri Laxmi Ganapathi Medical and General Stores in Maripeda village, Mahabubabad district.

During the inspection, the shop operator, Upender Maloth, was found allegedly selling habit-forming medicines including Tramadol injections, Tramadol tablets, and Alprazolam tablets, to drug addicts without valid prescriptions from registered medical practitioners.

Officials reported multiple violations of drug regulations, including:

• Sale of prescription drugs without prescriptions

• Non-maintenance of sales bills

• Failure to maintain prescription drug registers

• Failure to maintain Schedule H1 drug registers

• Inability to produce required records on demand

Records related to habit-forming drugs were seized during the raid.

The operation was carried out by Drugs Inspector S. Umarani of Mahabubabad under the supervision of Assistant Director M. Aravind Kumar, Khammam, in coordination with the Police Department.

The DCA stated that misuse of habit-forming medicines such as Tramadol and Alprazolam can lead to serious health risks, noting that continued misuse or overdose may result in “respiratory depression, seizures, coma, and even death.”

The department added that illegal sale of such medicines by a medical shop is punishable with imprisonment of up to two years under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Institutional Supply Drug Labels Found Tampered in Palvancha

In a separate inspection at Sri Laxmi Srinivasa Medical and General Stores, located at Shop No. 25, Bus Stand Complex, Palvancha, Bhadradri–Kothagudem district, DCA officials detected suspected label tampering on Thyronorm 100 mcg tablets.

The batch details were:

• Batch No: TMH25002

• Manufacturing Date: January 2025

• Expiry Date: December 2026

• Manufacturer: Abbott India Ltd., Himachal Pradesh

Upon verification with the manufacturer, officials confirmed tampering of the declaration “For Institutional Supply Only” printed on the label.

DCA officers seized the stock for violations related to possession of institutional supply medicines and tampering of drug labels. The raid was conducted by Drugs Inspector G. Aswani of Bhadradri–Kothagudem.

Authorities stated that stocking institutional supply medicines for retail sale and altering drug labels are offences punishable with imprisonment of up to two years under the Act.

Public Complaint Helpline Announced

The Drugs Control Administration has urged the public to report illegal activities related to medicines, including narcotic and psychotropic substances, through its toll-free helpline: 1800-599-6969 (operational from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm on working days).