DCA raids expose drug violations in Secunderabad and Uppal

Secunderabad: The Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Telangana raids uncovered multiple drug law violations in Secunderabad and Uppal on Sunday.

In the first raid, DCA officials targeted Gayatri Medical and General Stores in Seethaphalmandi, Secunderabad. They discovered serious violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The officials seized stocks worth Rs. 1.25 lakhs, including 45 varieties of drugs. The store was found stocking expired medications alongside saleable drugs, sold habit-forming drugs without proper documentation, and distributed abortion drugs without prescriptions from qualified doctors.

The operation was led by D. Saritha, Assistant Director, Secunderabad, with Drugs Inspectors B. Govind Singh, M. Surendranath, and P. Renuka. The violations could result in up to two years imprisonment under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

Second operation

In a separate operation, DCA officials seized 'Chloramphenicol P.D. Col Eye Ointment I.P. 1% w/w' from a medical store in Ramanthapur, Uppal Mandal, Medchal-Malkajgiri District. The product, manufactured by Packsules, Indore, had misleading advertisements claiming it was for "prophylaxis and treatment of eye infections," violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

Drugs Inspector G. Indira Priyadarshini led this raid. Under the law, misleading advertisements can result in imprisonment of up to six months, fines, or both.

The DCA has collected samples for further analysis from both locations and announced investigations will continue, with legal action against all offenders as per the law.

Advisory

The public may report suspected drug manufacturing activity, including narcotic and psychotropic substances, in residential, commercial, or industrial areas, or any complaints about illegal activities concerning medicines, through the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana Toll-Free Number 1800-599-6969, operational from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm on working days.