FDA cracks down on illegal drug trade, stock worth about ₹25 lakh seized from Pune and Kolhapur

Pune: In a major crackdown against illegal pharmaceutical activities that compromise public health, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized a stock of medicines worth above Rs24.81 lakh from Pune and Kolhapur districts. The seizures included medicines stored without licenses in Kolhapur and a stock of ‘schedule H’ drugs from the warehouse of a reputable pharmaceutical company in Pune.On June 8, FDA raided a pharmaceutical company in Kolhapur and during inspection, a large quantity of allopathic medicines, specifically antibiotic injections was discovered, read a statement issued by the FDA. It was found that the company lacked the necessary licenses and valid documentation for the purchase and sale of medicines. Consequently, citing violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act-1940, the FDA seized a stock of 29 types of medicines valued at Rs13.62 lakh.In a separate operation, the FDA inspected the warehouse of a reputed pharmaceutical company at Wadki in Pune district. During the inspection, packaging of ‘Rectin Plus’ tablets, a ‘schedule H’ drug, featured promotional content regarding the drug’s usage. The statement further reads that such advertising violated the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules-1945. As a result, a stock of the said medicine worth approximately Rs11.19 lakh was seized.Tukaram Mundhe, FDA commissioner, said, “No illegal activity related to the manufacture, storage, distribution or sale of medicines in the state will be tolerated. Strict and sustained action will continue against those who jeopardise public health.”Girish Hukare, joint commissioner (drugs), FDA Pune division, said, “Citizens should purchase medicines only from authorised and licensed sellers. In case of any information regarding the sale of suspicious medicines or illegal stockpiles, it should be reported to the administration immediately. We also instruct that all pharmaceutical manufacturers and sellers must comply with all laws and regulations.”