Gujarat FDCA Cancels 50 Drug Licences in August Crackdown

GANDHINAGAR : Gujarat’s food and drug regulator has launched a sweeping crackdown on unsafe medicines, adulterated food and illegal pharmaceutical activity, cancelling the sales licences of 50 drug companies found with serious deficiencies during inspections in August.

The action was reviewed at a meeting chaired by Health Minister Praful Pansheriya, who directed officials to adopt a “zero tolerance” approach towards anyone compromising public health.

“The health of citizens cannot be compromised. Strictest legal action must be taken against elements involved in such activities,” Pansheriya said, instructing the Food and Drug Regulatory Authority (FDCA) to maintain relentless surveillance across the state.

During August, risk-based inspections resulted in closure orders against two drug manufacturing companies, suspension of licences of eight manufacturers and cancellation of manufacturing licences for 11 drugs. Show-cause notices were also issued to 20 manufacturers following laboratory findings.

The FDCA inspected 42 blood storage centres, ordering three to shut down and issuing notices to 12. A special rural drive to check antibiotic quality resulted in the collection of 588 medicine samples for testing.

The crackdown also targeted fake and narcotic medicines. Joint action with the SOG led to the seizure of illegally sold narcotic injections, including Tramadol, from a shop near a medical store in Waghodia, Vadodara. The case is being pursued under the NDPS Act.

In the fake Nicardia Retard 10 case, investigators searched more than 30 locations and seized or restricted suspicious stock worth over ₹1.75 lakh. The probe has reportedly traced a supply chain from Lucknow’s Sena Pharma to Ahmedabad and Sanand, with Ahmedabad Crime Branch investigating the wider network.

The FDCA also seized illegal cosmetics worth ₹2.68 lakh from an unlicensed unit in Tragad, Ahmedabad, while unauthorised production of a medicine for children was detected at a facility in Kapadvanj, with goods worth ₹66,400 seized.

Food safety enforcement was equally extensive. More than 2,238 food businesses were inspected and 2,591 samples collected. Raids resulted in the seizure of 42,988 kg of suspected food products, including oil, ghee, milk and chilli powder, valued at approximately ₹93.47 lakh.

Officials also inspected 1,625 restaurants and dhabas, issuing 306 improvement notices and taking strict action against 38 units.

With festivals approaching, Pansheriya directed officials to maintain special surveillance over milk, ghee, edible oil and spices, warning that enforcement would continue without interruption.