Hyderabad pharma dealer arrested for selling counterfeit ‘Levipil 500’ tablets

Hyderabad: The Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Telangana, arrested Manish Kumar, Partner-cum-Competent Person of Arvind Pharma Distributors, for dealing in counterfeit drugs on July 8, 2025. The arrest was made in connection with the seizure of spurious ‘Levipil 500’ tablets, falsely labeled as being manufactured by Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd.

Arvind Pharma Distributors is located in SBI Staff Colony, Gandhinagar, Hyderabad. Based on intelligence inputs, DCA officials raided the premises on July 4 and seized counterfeit Levetiracetam 500 mg tablets under the brand name ‘Levipil 500’. The medicine is used to treat seizures in epilepsy patients.

Following the seizure, a comparison was carried out between the suspected batch and the genuine product. Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd. confirmed that the seized tablets were counterfeit.

Manish Kumar was arrested on July 8 and produced before the X Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate (ACJM) Court in Secunderabad. The court ordered judicial remand until July 23, 2025. He was subsequently sent to Chanchalguda Jail.

Director General of the Drugs Control Administration, Shahnawaz Qasim, directed officers to take strict action against anyone involved in the manufacture or distribution of counterfeit medicines. He reiterated the department’s zero-tolerance policy and assured that legal proceedings will be pursued against all offenders.

Counterfeit drugs pose serious risks to public health, as they may be ineffective or harmful. The DCA has initiated a further investigation to trace the source of the counterfeit stock and identify others involved in the operation.

The DCA has urged the public and stakeholders to report any suspicious or illegal drug-related activities. Complaints can be registered through the DCA's toll-free helpline at 1800-599-6969, operational from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on working days.