Telangana DCA raids illegal medical shops; here are list of seizures

Hyderabad: Stepping up its crackdown, the Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) raided several medical shops and clinics and seized a huge quantity of illegal and falsely advertised drugs, counterfeit medicines, and overpriced pharmaceuticals.

Raid on Unlicensed Medical Shop in Suryapet District

In Errapahad Village, Noothanakal Mandal, Suryapet District, a medical shop operating without a valid drug license was raided. The shop, managed by Jalagam Venkateshwarlu, was found to be stocking a significant quantity of medicines illegally.

During the raid, 30 types of medicines, including antibiotics and analgesics, worth approximately Rs. 22,000 were seized.

Samples were collected for analysis, and further investigation will be conducted to identify any suppliers involved in illegal distribution. The DCA stressed that wholesalers supplying drugs to unlicensed entities could face legal action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with penalties including up to five years of imprisonment.

Seizure at Quack’s Clinic in Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri District

In another operation, the DCA raided a clinic in Deshmukhi Village, Bhoodhan Pochampally Mandal, Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri District, where an unqualified practitioner, Akula Gopinath, was illegally selling antibiotics and other medicines.

“Unqualified individuals selling antibiotics pose a serious risk, as it can lead to antimicrobial resistance,” warned J. Ashwin Kumar, Drugs Inspector for Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri.

The raid resulted in the seizure of 31 types of medicines, valued at Rs. 38,382. The DCA emphasized that all medical practitioners and suppliers must comply with licensing requirements to ensure public safety.

Falsely Manufactured Drugs Marketed as Food Products in Khammam

In Khammam, DCA officials uncovered a product, Feromen XT Tablets, falsely marketed as a nutraceutical under a food license. The tablets, containing Ferrous Ascorbate, Folic Acid, and Zinc, should have been manufactured under a drug license as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

“This product was manufactured at Evertouch Lifecare in Uttar Pradesh under a food license. Such misrepresentation of pharmaceuticals as food products is a violation of manufacturing standards, posing a significant risk to patients’ health,” said Ch. Anil Kumar, Drugs Inspector for Khammam Urban. The DCA underscored that drugs masquerading as food items do not meet the quality and safety standards mandated for licensed pharmaceuticals.

Overpriced Medicines Seized in Kamareddy

In Kamareddy, DCA officials seized overpriced Sofrabact Cream (Mupirocin Cream 2% w/w), manufactured by Progressive Lifesciences Pvt Ltd. The product’s MRP was significantly above the ceiling price fixed by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), violating the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.

“The indicated MRP of Rs. 155 for a 5 gm tube exceeded the allowable ceiling price of Rs. 113.6,” said Raja Reddy, Drugs Inspector for Kamareddy. Action will be taken against the violators as per the law to ensure that essential medicines remain affordable for the public.

Misleading Ayurvedic and Siddha Medicines Seized for False Health Claims

The DCA also conducted a targeted drive to identify and remove medicines with misleading labels, particularly Ayurvedic and Siddha products claiming to cure conditions such as high blood pressure, kidney stones, and diabetes.

Some of the seized products included:

• NORMACT Tablets – Claimed to treat high blood pressure, detected in Nizamabad.

• Dava-Tone Syrup – Claimed to treat kidney stones, found in Medchal-Malkajgiri District.

• URICAL Syrup – Claimed to treat kidney and bladder stones, detected in Kukatpally.

• D-Co-D Tablets – Claimed to treat diabetes, seized in Mahabubnagar District.

“Advertising false health benefits is prohibited under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954,” stated V. Srikanth, Drugs Inspector for Nizamabad Urban. Misleading health claims can lead patients to forego necessary treatments, posing risks to their well-being.

DCA Urges Public to Report Illegal Activities

The DCA has called on the public to report any suspected illegal drug-related activities, including the manufacture and sale of unauthorized pharmaceuticals. Reports can be made through the DCA’s toll-free helpline, operational from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm on working days, at 1800-599-6969.