DCA raids quacks’ clinics in Nagole, Manikonda, Siddipet; drugs worth Rs 2.29 lakhs seized
Manufacturing and selling ‘drugs’ without a valid license is punishable under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with imprisonment for up to five years
By Newsmeter Network Published on 29 Sep 2024 8:56 AM GMT
DCA raids in Telangana
Hyderabad: Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Telangana, raided several clinics operated by quacks, illegally seizing stocked drugs worth Rs 2.29 lakhs intended for sale at various locations across the State.
The DCA conducted the raids at Nagole; Madaram Village, Sangareddy District; Puppalguda, Manikonda; Mannegudem Village, Mahabubabad District; Meenaji Pet Village, Siddipet District; and Suraram Village in Medchal-Malkajgiri District.
Based on credible information, on Saturday, officials from the DCA raided the premises of quacks/unauthorised practitioners who were practising medicine without proper qualifications at their clinics. During the raids at the following premises, substantial quantities of medicines stocked for sale without a drug licence were found.
Misusing antibiotics and steroids
DCA director VB Kamalasan Reddy said that the DCA officials detected several ‘antibiotics’ viz. Amoxicillin, Cefpodoxime, Ceftriaxone, 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’ viz. Prednisolone etc. at clinics of a quack.
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, he said and added that DCA officers took samples for analysis.
Reddy said that further investigation will be carried out, and action will be taken as per the law against all the offenders. Stocking drugs for sale without a drug licence is punishable under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with imprisonment for up to five years, he added.
Seizure of drugs falsely manufactured
During the raids carried out on Saturday, the DCA officials detected certain drugs falsely manufactured and sold under the guise of food products/nutraceuticals.
The DCA officials of Medchal Zone have detected the product ‘CCF-D3’ Nano Shot Oral Solution (Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) Oral Solution 60000IU) with label composition Each 5 ml contains Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) 60000 IU circulating in the market. The product was falsely manufactured under a ‘food licence (FSSAI licence)’ and falsely claimed to be a food product/nutraceutical.
The product was found to be illegally manufactured by Nuvista Pharmaceuticals, Medchal-Malkajgiri District and marketed by Beulah Biomedics, Kapra, Medchal-Malkajgiri District, as a food product/nutraceutical.
As per the label claim of the product, it is classified as a ‘drug’ according to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
The product ‘CCF-D3’ Nano Shot Oral Solution must be manufactured only under a ‘drug license’ issued under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, adhering strictly to the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) outlined in Schedule-M of the Drugs Rules. Additionally, it must meet the quality standards prescribed in the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) as mandated.
Manufacturing and selling ‘drugs’ without a valid license is punishable under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with imprisonment for up to five years.
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.
