DCA raids unlicensed medical shop in Charminar, & quack clinics in Quthbullapur
Hyderabad: Officials from the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) of Telangana, acting on credible information, conducted a series of successful raids across multiple locations in the state to curb the illegal sale of medicines, the operation of unlicensed medical shops, and the practice of medicine by quacks.
A. Raid at Unlicensed Medical Shop in Charminar, Hyderabad
On November 13, DCA officers raided a medical shop operating illegally without a drug license in Noorkhan Bazar, Charminar, Hyderabad. The shop was being run by Dr. Yahya Aslam Bin Mahfooz at Komatwadi. During the raid, officials found 23 varieties of medicines, including antibiotics and analgesics, being sold without authorization.
The seized stock, valued at approximately Rs. 18,000, was confiscated for analysis. DCA officers are continuing their investigation, and action will be taken against the offenders in accordance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, which mandates that all drug vendors hold a valid drug license.
B. Raids on Clinics Operated by Quacks
In a separate series of raids, DCA officials targeted clinics operated by unqualified practitioners, commonly referred to as "quacks," who were illegally dispensing medicines and offering medical treatments without proper qualifications.
One such raid was conducted in Chinthal, Quthbullapur Village, Medchal-Malkajgiri District, where P. Ravindran was found running a clinic and stocking 22 varieties of medicines, including antibiotics and steroids, without a valid drug license. Another raid was carried out at the Gemini Clinic in Fasalwadi Village, Sangareddy District, operated by Devasoth Gopal, where 21 types of drugs, including anti-ulcer medicines and antihypertensives, were seized.
The seized medicines included high-generation antibiotics such as Ceftriaxone, Cefixime, and Cefpodoxime, as well as potentially harmful steroids like Dexamethasone. The total value of the seized stock was estimated at Rs. 40,000. Further investigations are ongoing, and strict legal action will be taken against both the quacks and any wholesalers or dealers who supplied drugs to them without verifying the legitimacy of their licenses.
C. Seizure of Drugs Sold as 'Food Products'
In another raid, DCA officials in Warangal uncovered a case of drugs being falsely marketed as food products. During a raid, Thioget Tablets (Thiamine Hydrochloride 100mg) were found being sold under a food license issued by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The product, manufactured by Lakra Polytex in Himachal Pradesh, was falsely labeled as a food product, despite being a drug under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
The sale of such products under the guise of food products not only violates manufacturing norms but also jeopardizes public health. These drugs were found to be manufactured without adhering to the 'Good Manufacturing Practices' (GMP) and lacked proper quality control measures as per the Indian Pharmacopoeia. The DCA has seized these products, and further action will be taken against the manufacturers.
D. Seizure of Drugs with Misleading Claims
DCA officials also identified several medicines in the market making false claims about their therapeutic effects. During a raid, the following products were seized for violating the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, which prohibits the advertisement of drugs claiming to cure certain serious diseases:
Podapathri Churnam (Ayurvedic medicine) – claimed to treat Leprosy and Diabetes
Arjuna Churnam (Ayurvedic medicine) – claimed to treat Blood Pressure
AbiSTONE-B6 Syrup (Allopathic medicine) – claimed to treat Urinary Stones
The medicines were found to be advertised with misleading claims that are prohibited under Schedule J of the Drugs Rules, 1945.
V.B. Kamalasan Reddy, Director General of the Drugs Control Administration, urged citizens to report any suspicious drug manufacturing or distribution activities through the DCA’s toll-free number - 1800-599-6969, which operates from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on working days.
హైదరాబాద్లో అనధికారిక మెడిసిన్ షాపులు, నకిలీ డాక్టర్లపై తెలంగాణ డ్రగ్స్ కంట్రోల్ అడ్మినిస్ట్రేషన్ (DCA) విస్తృత దాడులు చేపట్టింది. ఈ దాడుల్లో చార్మినార్లోని నూర్ఖాన్ బజార్లో అనుమతుల్లేకుండా నడుస్తున్న మెడికల్ షాప్పై దాడి చేసి, యాంటీబయాటిక్స్, ఎనల్జెసిక్స్ వంటి 23 రకాల… pic.twitter.com/FQZXz3J0CZ
— TeluguPost (@telugu_post9) November 14, 2024
