DCA Impounds Overpriced Pills, Illegal Stocks, Ayurvedic Drugs
Hyderabad: Officials from the Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Telangana, in three major raids detected unethical practices in the pharmaceutical sector on Tuesday. Unlicensed operations, overpricing of essential medicines, and misleading advertisements for ayurvedic remedies, were found rampant during the raids, by the DCA officials.
A dental clinic in Chandanagar, Rangareddy district, was found stockpiling and selling medicines illegally. The clinic was running without a valid licence. Altogether 11 drugs of different brands worth Rs 15,000, including antibiotics and analgesics, were seized.
It was detected that the errant clinic was found violating Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Under the Act it is mandatory to have valid licence for sale and stocking of medicines. The accused, including suppliers to the unlicensed entities, may face imprisonment up to five years under the Act, if charges were proved.
In Secunderabad, Itramen-200 capsules, an anti-fungal medicine, was being sold at a higher price than mandated. The cost of the medicine was found Rs 350 for a strip of 10 capsules, which exceeded the government-mandated ceiling price of Rs 247.70. The DCA officials said that it was the breach of Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, which regulated the prices of the essential medicine.
The firm was found overcharging Rs 102.23 per strip which prompted the officials to seize the stock and initiate legal proceedings.
In another raid at Nagarkurnool, it was found that the sale of Neem Churnam, an Ayurvedic product, was falsely marketed as remedy for fevers. The claim was in contravention of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, which prohibits misleading advertisements of medicines, claiming cure for certain diseases.
The stocks were confiscated and the manufacturer could face penalties, including imprisonment or fines, said DCA officials,
They appealed to public to report any illegal drug-related activities, including unlicensed sales, overpricing, or misleading advertisements, on toll-free helpline number 1800-599-6969.