DCA Telangana raids 28 blood centers, 14 found violating screening & storage norms
Hyderabad: The Drugs Control Administration (DCA) of Telangana conducted a special drive on February 28, 2025, targeting clinics run by unqualified practitioners, medical shops, and blood centers. The drive resulted in the seizure of several drugs and the detection of multiple violations.
During February 2025, DCA officials inspected 28 blood centers to ensure proper screening for transmissible diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis, and to verify blood storage conditions and components, and the processing charges collected by blood centres. Violations were found in 14 centers, and actions were taken against 4 of them.
On February 28, 2025, a quack’s clinic in Begumpet Village, Raipole Mandal, Siddipet District, was raided after receiving credible information. The clinic, operated by K. Ramanjaneyulu, who lacked the required medical qualifications, was found to be stocking and selling 14 types of medicines, including antibiotics and analgesics, without a valid drug license. The seized stock was valued at Rs. 30,000. The seizure included antibiotics like Linezolid and Amoxicillin, which pose health risks, including the emergence of antimicrobial resistance when misused.
The Drugs Control Administration has been actively pursuing cases against quacks since January 2024, with 151 cases registered for illegal drug stocking and sales. The DCA highlighted that wholesalers who supply medicines to such unlicensed individuals are also punishable under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
In another separate raid in Malakpet, DCA officials seized Dawafer-XT Tablets (Ferrous Ascorbate, Folic Acid, and Zinc Tablets), which were falsely marketed as nutraceuticals under a food license. The product, manufactured by Vix Pharma International, was found to be classified as a drug under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act but was being sold as a food product. Such products are often not manufactured in compliance with the Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and fail to meet the required quality standards. Selling drugs under a food license is a violation punishable with up to five years of imprisonment.
DCA officials also seized 11 products being sold with misleading claims, including treatments for menstrual disorders, leprosy, diabetes, heart diseases, high blood pressure, eye infections, and other ailments. These claims violate the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, which prohibits the advertisement of drugs for certain diseases and conditions.
The seized products included Softamycitin Eye Ointment, Yosnaar Max Tablets, Gandha Kachuralu, Vimcet Plus Suspension, Ashwagandha Churnam, Hridyamrit Vati Extra Power DS, Karela Jamun Mix, Satapushpa Fruit Churna, Vatari Churna, and Sabja Seeds. All these products were found to have advertisements that violated regulations under the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act. Persons involved in making such misleading claims can face imprisonment for up to six months, a fine, or both.
DCA Director General, V.B. Kamalasan Reddy, urged the public to report any suspected illegal drug manufacturing activities or complaints regarding medicines. The DCA operates a toll-free number, 1800-599-6969, for this purpose, available on working days from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm.