Ahmedabad: Gujarat’s Food and Drug Control Administration has launched a three-day inspection drive across Ahmedabad and other parts of the state after receiving information about the suspected sale of counterfeit or duplicate Nicardia Retard 10 tablets, with officials seizing 1,250 tablets of the suspected medicine and restricting the sale of other medicines worth around Rs 1.70 lakh.
The action, initiated on August 19, has so far covered more than 30 medical stores and pharmaceutical firms. The investigation is continuing, and officials are tracing the suspected supply chain back to its source.
“The department received information that counterfeit or duplicate NICARDIA RETARD 10 Tablets, bearing batch number ACG25007 and the name of J.B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. in Bharuch, could be being sold at Leelavati Pharmacy & Wellness Pvt. Ltd. in the Satellite area of Ahmedabad,” officials said.
During the inspections, officials found 660 tablets of the same medicine at Kishan Medical Store in Nadiad. Officials seized the tablets as prescribed samples and sent them for testing.
Officials also seized another 590 tablets from Parshva Medical Agency in the Paldi area of Ahmedabad. According to the department, the stock was supplied through Apex Pharma Agency in Bhavnagar to the same district-based Rotary Timbi Medical Stores in Timbi.
Authorities also collected samples of other suspected medicines and restricted the related stocks from sale. These include different batches of Nicardia Retard 20, Cilacar 5, Cilacar 10, Cilakar TM 50 and Nicardia Retard 10.
The total value of the suspicious medicine stock restricted during the inspections is estimated at around Rs 1.70 lakh.
The preliminary investigation has identified a suspected distribution chain beginning with Sena Pharmas in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, followed by Parth Medical Agency in the Paldi area; Paras Ecomed in Satellite; Sanand Medical Store in Sanand; and Leelavati Pharmacy & Wellness Pvt. Ltd. in Satellite.
Inspections have been conducted at firms and medical stores in Ahmedabad, Nadiad, Sanand, Surat, Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Gandhinagar and Bhuj.
The establishments checked include Leelavati Pharmacy & Wellness, Sanand Medical Stores, Paras Ecomed, Parshva Medical Agency, Pharma-365, Kishan Medical Store, Arihant Medical Agency, J.L.U. Medical Agency, Vardhman Medical Agency, Sagar Pharma Agency, Aagam Gam Pharmaceuticals, Ayush Medical Agency, Assure Health Care, Riddhi Medical Agency, Paras Medical Agency, Global Pharma, Giriraj Health Care, K.M. Distributor, Meru Pharma, Shyam Distributor, Sanjeevani Medical, Apex Pharma, Rotary Timbi Medical Store, Ram Medical Store and Satyam Pharmacy.
The Food and Drug Control Administration is now examining purchase and sale records of the concerned firms as part of the investigation.
Officials said the inquiry would be extended to the manufacturer and that police action could be initiated against those found to be involved, if required.
The inspections are being carried out following directions from state Health Minister Praful Pansheriya and under the supervision of the Food and Drug Control Commissioner.
The department said the action forms part of efforts to prevent the circulation and sale of illegal, counterfeit and duplicate medicines and to ensure the availability of safe and quality medicines to citizens.
(IANS)
