65 drug seizures in March by Telangana DCA; 50 linked to false marketing

Hyderabad: In March, the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, carried out 65 seizures related to various offences involving medicines. As many as 50 seizures among them were about drugs being sold under misleading advertisements.

The other drug seizures were related to spurious products (1), sale at unlicensed medical shops (2), quacks with unlicensed stocks of drugs (7), and medicines falsely manufactured and sold as nutraceuticals (2). As many as three cases were about the sale of expired drugs, physician’s samples, sub-standard quality drugs and drugs that were improperly stored.

The total value of the stocks seized in March was Rs 3.03 lakhs.

Widespread sale of sub-standard drugs

In March, the DCA said it has identified the sale of 15 types of not of standard quality or substandard drugs. These include antibiotics, antiulcer drugs, antihelmintic and antiprotozoal drugs, etc. The samples failed in the tests for assay, dissolution and description, which may render the medicines ineffective in treating diseases.

Seizure of spurious drugs

Among the DCA raids done to stop the sale of spurious drugs, one of them involved several dealers in Hyderabad, leading to the seizure of counterfeit versions of ‘Montek-LC’ Tablets (Montelukast Sodium and Levocetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets).

By comparing the spurious drugs with the original manufacturer, Sun Pharma Laboratories in Sikkim, the drugs inspectors deemed the seized batches as spurious. The raid was conducted on March 18 at Sri Nirmala Pharma in Secunderabad, where counterfeit versions of ‘Montek-LC’ Tablets were seized.

Why are improperly stored drugs harmful?

Some medicines require storage at low temperatures. Storage at room temperature causes a loss of their potency, and the use of such drugs, especially injections, may adversely affect patients’ health, as they fail to produce the intended therapeutic effect.

On March 5, DCA officials raided Sri Nandini Pharma in Sultan Bazar and found stocks of thermolabile (temperature-sensitive) medicines—Tetanus Vaccine and Oxytocin Injections—stored at room temperature on racks, along with other general drugs. Tetanus Vaccine and Oxytocin Injections should be stored in a refrigerator at 2°C to 8°C to maintain their stability and efficacy.

Seizure of expired drugs and physician’s samples

On March 6, officials of the DCA raided a medical shop named DPJ Medical and General Stores in Mulugu. They found 40 varieties of physician’s samples, not meant for sale and expired drugs, including antiulcer drugs, cough and cold formulations, antifungal drugs, etc., stocked alongside saleable drugs on the racks of the medical shop.

Misleading advertisements

The DCA seized 50 medicines for making misleading advertisements claiming that they treat various diseases/disorders, in contravention of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, or Drugs Rules (Schedule J).

The medicines were being falsely sold as cures for disorders such as diabetes and paralysis, fever, renal stones, rheumatism, sterility and impotence, menstrual disorders and tuberculosis, which is prohibited under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

The raids were done on outlets in Kamareddy, Ameenpur, Uppal, Ramanthapur, Bhainsa, Pragathi Nagar, Saroornagar and Domadugu Village among other areas.

Seizure of drugs falsely manufactured and sold as food products/nutraceuticals

The drugs that are falsely manufactured and sold under a food license are not produced by Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and often fail to meet the quality standards prescribed in the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP). Such products pose serious risks to patients' health and may have severe implications. Manufacturing and selling ‘drugs’ without a valid ‘drug license’ is punishable under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with imprisonment for up to five years.

As per the label claim of the products, Medos-AT Capsules (Methylcobalamin, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Folic Acid, Vitamin B1 & B6 Capsules) and Calgro-D3 Tablets (Calcium and Vitamin D3 tablets) are classified as ‘drugs’ according to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

However, the DCA officials, on separate occasions, found that these were being sold as nutraceuticals in Ramagundam in the Peddapalli District and Kapra in the Medchal-Malkajgiri District.

Raids at medical shops operating without a licence

During the raids carried out in March, the DCA seized a large stock of drugs worth Rs 1.23 lakh at unlicensed premises/medical shops operating illegally without a drug license. The raids were done at Hanumakonda and Jagtial on March 5 and March 19, respectively.

Stocking drugs for sale without a drug licence is punishable under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act with imprisonment of up to five years.

Stopping quacks from exploiting patients

The DCA conducted raids on clinics operated by quacks and unauthorised practitioners who were practicing medicine without proper qualifications. During these raids, illegally stocked drugs worth Rs 1.35 lakh intended for sale were seized at various locations across the State.

As many as 34 varieties of illegally stocked drugs were found at one location in Chikkadpally. Raids were also held on quacks operating in Medak District, Sangareddy District, Medchal-Malkajgiri District and Ranga Reddy District.

DCA officials detected several antibiotics, such as Cefixime, Cefpodoxime, Amoxycillin, Ofloxacin etc., at the clinics during the raids. Indiscriminate sale of antibiotics by unqualified persons may have disastrous consequences on the health of the rural public, including the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.

Officials found steroids such as Betamethasone Sodium Phosphate, Dexamethasone, Prednisolone etc., at the clinics of quacks. Misusing steroids can have serious health consequences, including immune system suppression, hormonal imbalances, muscle and bone weakness, cardiovascular problems, and psychological effects. The indiscriminate use of steroids poses significant risks to public health.

Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, has been maintaining a vigilant stance, actively monitoring and detecting various offences related to misleading advertisements, quacks, illegal stocking and sale of drugs and seizing drugs that were falsely manufactured and sold under the guise of ‘food products/nutraceuticals.’

Public advisory

The public may report any suspected manufacturing activity related to drugs, including narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, in residential commercial, or industrial areas, as well as any other complaints regarding illegal activities concerning medicines, through the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana toll-free number 1800-599-6969, which is operational from 10:30 am to 5 pm on all working days.