20 DCA seizures across Telangana from June 1 to 20; Rs 4.50 lakhs stock seized

Hyderabad: From June 1 and 21, the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) of Telangana has conducted 20 seizures across the state, exposing violations in all stages of drug production and sale in the pharmaceutical industry. The teams seized stocks worth Rs 4.50 lakhs during the raids.

The violations found by the DCA officials include misleading advertisements, price violations, illegal stocking and sale of drugs, and the unauthorised sale of drugs as food products or nutraceuticals.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of the seizures.

Misleading advertisements

A number of the seizures, 13 in total, were due to misleading advertisements.

The Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, and the Drugs Rules prohibit the advertisement of drugs for the treatment of specific diseases and disorders. Violators can face imprisonment of up to six months, a fine, or both.

Notable seizures involving misleading advertisements include:

- Diabenon Syrup stock (June 7 in Prashanthinagar): Claimed to treat diabetes.

- Pratapa Kasturi stock (June 7 in Miryalaguda): Advertised as a treatment for fever.

- Md-Tone Syrup stock (June 7 in Peddapalli): Claimed to treat a range of menstrual and uterine disorders.

- Curry Leaf Powder stock (June 12 in Kukatpally): Advertised as a treatment for diabetes.

- Alka-Shot CP Oral Solution stock (June 13 in Mancherial): Claimed to treat urinary stones.

- Alka-Shot CP Oral Solution stock (June 18 in Jeedimetla): Claimed to treat urinary stones.

- Mehantaka Vati stock (June 20 in Nizamabad Urban): Advertised as a treatment for diabetes.

- PAAC-250 Suspension stock (June 20 in Uppal): Advertised as a treatment for fever.

- Golith Capsules stock (June 20 in Patancheru): Claimed to treat gall stones.

- Hridyamrit Bati Tablets stock (June 20 in Nizamabad Rural): Advertised as a treatment for heart diseases.

- Pyrexonil Syrup stock (June 20 in Gandipet): Claimed to treat typhoid.

- Shri Tulsi stock (June 21 in Shabad): Advertised as a treatment for fever.

- Suppol 250 Suppositories stock (June 21 in Rajendranagar): Advertised as a treatment for fever.

The DCA emphasised the illegality of such advertisements under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, noting that no person shall advertise treatments for conditions like diabetes, fever, typhoid, and various menstrual disorders.

Price Violations

Three seizures were due to price violations, where the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) exceeded the ceiling price fixed by the Central Government under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.

Notable seizures involving overpricing include:

- Mu-Zoc 2 Ointment stock (June 5 in Hanumakonda): It was priced at Rs 130 per 5 gm tube against a ceiling price of Rs 113.6.

- Cefimaje-100 Dry Syrup stock (June 20 in Bhadradri-Kothagudem): It was priced at Rs 145 per 30 ml against a ceiling price of Rs 80.3.

- Itranova 200 Capsules stock (June 21 in Warangal): It was priced at Rs 285 for 10 capsules against a ceiling price of Rs 247.7.

Overpricing of essential medicines is a violation under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, and stringent action is to be taken against violators.

Manufacture and sale of drugs under food licenses

Three seizures were related to drugs being falsely manufactured and sold as nutraceuticals under food licenses, which is illegal under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Notable seizures involving the sale of drugs under food labels include:

- Zyfer-XT stock (June 10 in Medipally): Marketed under a food license but classified as a drug.

- Thianova stock (June 13 in Bhupalpally): Sold under a food license despite being a drug.

- Proferron-XT Haematinic Tablets stock (June 20 in Malkajgiri): Also falsely sold under a food license.

The DCA noted that such products are often not manufactured in accordance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and fail to meet the quality standards prescribed in the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP). These products pose serious risks to patients’ health.

Illegal medical shop raided in Mahabubnagar

One raid was conducted on an unlicensed medical shop, resulting in the seizure of a significant stock of drugs.

The raid was conducted on June 7 on a shop in Mahabubnagar run by Sheri Lavakusha Reddy. It was found to be operating without a valid drug license. The raid resulted in the seizure of 65 varieties of allopathic drugs, including antibiotics and steroids, worth Rs 1.5 lakhs.

The DCA emphasised that operating a medical shop without a license is punishable under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with imprisonment of up to five years. They also warned wholesalers and dealers against supplying medicines to unlicensed shops.

Locations of seizures

The seizures took place across various regions across Telangana, including Prashanthinagar, Miryalaguda, Peddapalli, Kukatpally, Mancherial, Jeedimetla, Nizamabad Urban, Uppal, Patancheru, Nizamabad Rural, Gandipet, Shabad, Rajendranagar, Hanumakonda, Bhadradri-Kothagudem, Warangal, Medipally, Bhupalpally, Malkajgiri and Mahabubnagar.

Public awareness

The DCA urges the public to only purchase medicines from licensed medical shops. The public can verify the licensing status of a pharmacy through the Third Party Verification feature on the ODLS website. Complaints regarding illegal activities concerning medicines can be reported to the DCA’s toll-free number 1800-599-6969, operational from 10:30 am to 5 pm on all working days.