Telangana Drugs Control administration suspends licenses of six wholesalers for illegal insulin procurement

HYDERABAD: The Telangana Drugs Control Administration has taken stringent departmental action by suspending the licenses of six wholesalers in Telangana for 30 days due to their illegal procurement of 'Insulin' injections (pre-filled pens) without purchase bills.

During raids conducted from March 15 to March 20 at six medical distributors in Hyderabad, the DCA detected that insulin injections, sourced from New Delhi without purchase bills, were being sold at substantial discounts of more than 40 percent by these wholesalers. The DCA seized stocks worth a total of Rs. 51.92 lakhs during the raids for procuring the stocks without purchase bills.

Upon verifying the sales bills of the wholesalers, it was revealed that they were offering the aforementioned insulin injections, sourced from New Delhi, without any accompanying bills, at substantial discounts of more than 40 percent. Wholesalers who sourced insulin injections without any purchase invoices and offering them with huge discounts.

During these special raids, DCA officials seized stocks worth Rs. 51.92 lakhs, which were illegally procured from Delhi and are suspected to have been illegally diverted from the supply chain. Procuring medicines illegally without purchase bills is a violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Illegal procurement of medicines without purchase bills is deemed fraudulent primarily because it involves:

Health and Safety Risks: Illegal procurement of medicines without proper documentation raises significant health and safety concerns. Without purchase bills, the quality, authenticity, and safety of the medicines cannot be verified, posing risks to consumers' health.

Tax Evasion: Furthermore, failing to maintain purchase bills may also lead to tax evasion as it prevents accurate reporting of expenses and revenue related to the procurement and sale of medicines.

The Drugs Control Administration of Telangana, in addition to launching prosecution against the wholesalers, has taken stringent departmental action by suspending their drug licenses for 30 days. Furthermore, this action is complemented by the initiation of prosecution proceedings against the wholesalers.

The public may report any complaints regarding illegal activities concerning medicines through the Drugs Control Administration of Telangana Toll-Free Number 1800-599-6969, which is operational from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm on all working days.