Massive Pharma Crackdown: Fake & Illegal Medicines Worth Rs.1.21 Crore Seized in Gujarat

Gandhinagar | Gujarat — The state food and drug regulatory agency is continuously testing drug samples at various places and taking strictest action against elements involved in adulteration and sale. As part of which, in raids on pharma firms in Ahmedabad, a suspicious quantity of medicine worth over Rs. 1.21 crore has been seized. Apart from this, the authorities have raided pharma firms in places like Vadodara, Savli and Bharuch and seized a quantity of suspicious medicines, Health Minister  Praful Panseria said in detail.

The state government is committed to protecting the health of the citizens of Gujarat. Panseria has clearly stated that, “The state government will not compromise with the health of the citizens in any way. We have adopted a ‘zero tolerance’ policy against the illegal sale of fake, substandard and intoxicating medicines.” In this regard, Health Minister Shri Panseria held a meeting with high officials of the Food and Drug Regulatory Authority in Gandhinagar and instructed them to take strict action against the firms that illegally use drugs that make the youth of Gujarat addicted and buy and sell fake medicines.

Details of the intensive search operation conducted by the Food and Drug Regulatory Authority across the state

A large quantity of codeine-containing syrup was being stored by Pawan Formulation in Ahmedabad city. During the investigation, a large quantity of narcotic, habit-forming and abuse-susceptible drugs was found at the spot. Apart from this, serious defects were also found in the purchase and sale records during the investigation. Here, a quantity of drugs worth more than Rs. 76.51 lakh was prohibited.

At Yusuf Medicines, Gomtipur, Ahmedabad, an allopathic ‘Diclofenac’ ingredient was found in an Ayurvedic medicine named ‘HABBE AUJA’ and it was declared ‘spurious’ (fake) and a quantity of drugs worth approximately Rs. 12,000 was seized. Times Medicament Pvt. Ltd. has been fined Rs. 12,000 for changing the place without permission and for irregularities in the billing of ‘Monjaro’ injection. Medicines worth Rs. 4.60 lakhs have been seized. The license of the firm involved in the illegal sale of REXCRON-T SYRUP-Codeine syrup by AEDMAX LIFECARE, Ahmedabad has been suspended for 15 days. In addition, Maxila Mediscience Pvt. Ltd. was manufacturing medicines containing psychotropic ingredients like Tramadol and Alprazolam, regarding which the sales records are being verified and investigated.

In addition, the officials, while inspecting the shop located on the first floor of E-24 of Manhar Nagar Shopping Center, along with the punches, found that Dharmeshbhai Jayantilal Sathwara was storing medicines without a license for sale at this place. In this regard, as per the provisions of the law, an estimated amount of Rs. 40 lakhs has been seized from the responsible firm and legal action has been taken against the firm.

While in Vadodara, Medicament Solutions Private Limited was found  illegally selling “MOUNJARO KWIKPEN” injections used to reduce obesity online without a doctor’s prescription. This firm was getting online orders through misleading advertisements and sending medicines by courier without examining the patient, which is extremely dangerous for health. Therefore, the license of Medicament Solutions Private Limited  has been permanently cancelled by the administration and legal action has been taken against all the people involved in this.

In addition, a drug manufacturing firm named  Amico Formulations LLP of Vadodara was manufacturing high doses of the medicine ‘Tapentadol Hydrochloride’. Since there is every possibility that such high doses of these medicines could be used for the purpose of intoxication as a narcotic instead of medical treatment, the production permit of this firm has been cancelled with immediate effect by the administration.

The administration raided Ghantyal village of Savli taluka. During the investigation here, a total of 22 samples were taken from the firm Amico Formulations LLP. Out of which, a sample of ‘MIXACRIP CAPLETS’ has been declared “Not of Standard Quality” by the laboratory of Vadodara. A notice has been given to the company for ‘Stop Sale’ and ‘Product Recall’ of the medicine declared disproportionately and all the medicine has been seized by the Savli police and legal action has been taken.

In addition, medicines containing high doses of ‘Tapentadol Hydrochloride’ were also manufactured by the ALPHARD PHARMA company of Bharuch. After the cancellation of the NOC by the Government of India, the FDCA Gujarat has permanently cancelled the export permit of this company for this product.