Here’s how to find out if the medical shop near you has a license: Verification on DCA website

Hyderabad: Acting on credible information, the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) Telangana conducted a raid on an unlicensed medical store in Zamistanpur, Musheerabad, and seized a significant quantity of medicines, including habit-forming drugs and antibiotics.

Also, to help people find out about unlicensed shops in their area, the DCA has set up a third-party verification on its website.

Shop operating without drug license

The raid, carried out on June 10, targeted New Al-Shifa Medical and General Stores, located near Bandham Function Hall in Zamistanpur. The shop was being operated illegally by Mohd Saddam Hussain without the mandatory drug license required under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Officials found 35 varieties of medicines at the premises, including IV fluids, abortion kits, and controlled substances such as Alprazolam and Tramadol tablets. The total value of the seized drugs is estimated to be Rs 25,000.

Warning to wholesalers and dealers

The DCA has also issued a stern warning to wholesalers and distributors supplying medicines to unlicensed entities.

“Wholesalers and dealers must ensure that medicines are supplied only to licensed entities. Supplying drugs to unlicensed shops is also punishable under the law,” the statement stated.

Legal consequences

Under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, stocking and selling medicines without a license can lead to imprisonment of up to five years. The DCA has stated that further investigation will be conducted and appropriate legal action will be taken against all those involved.

Public advisory

Citizens have been urged to avoid purchasing medicines from unlicensed or unverified sources—including unregulated online platforms—to avoid the risks of counterfeit or unsafe drugs.

“It is advisable to buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies, which display their drug licenses issued by the DCA prominently at their premises,” the department advised.

License verification tool for consumers

The public can verify the legitimacy of pharmacies and medical shops via the third-party verification tool available on the DCA’s website:

Website: https://odls.telangana.gov.in/ThirdPartypublicview.aspx

Steps to find out if the medical shop near you has a license

- Select ‘Sales’ under the License Type.

- Enter the name of the pharmacy or distributor.

- Click ‘Search’ to view license details.

Reporting suspicious activity

The DCA has requested the public to report any suspicious activities involving the sale or manufacture of illegal drugs, including psychotropic substances, by calling the toll-free number: 1800-599-6969, operational from 10:30 am to 5 pm on working days.