DCA bust spurious drug rackets in Telangana, urge public to be vigilant

HYDERABAD: In a significant move to safeguard public health, the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) in Telangana has intensified efforts to combat the proliferation of spurious drugs, uncovering a disturbing trend that poses a grave risk to unsuspecting consumers.

Recent raids by DCA officials have unearthed counterfeit drug operations in Hyderabad, exposing the infiltration of spurious drugs into Telangana from Kashipur, Uttarakhand, and Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. A godown in Machabollaram was raided in December 2023, leading to the seizure of counterfeit anti-cancer drugs.

The raids conducted in December 2023 and January 2024 revealed a disconcerting array of fake medicines falsely labeled under reputable pharmaceutical companies such as Sun Pharma, Glenmark Pharma, Aristo Pharmaceuticals, and Torrent Pharma. Counterfeit drugs included those used in the treatment of high cholesterol (Rosuvas 10 Tablets), hypertension (Telma H Tablets, Telma 40 Tablets), and antibiotics (Monocef-O 200 Tablets).

Alarming revelations emerged as DCA officials discovered three varieties of antibiotics labeled as manufactured by 'Meg Life sciences' in Sirmour, Himachal Pradesh, which was later confirmed to be a fictitious and non-existent company.

DCA urges public to stay vigilant from spurious drugs

Recognizing the elusive nature of spurious drugs, Drugs Control Administration emphasized the importance of vigilant public scrutiny.

Consumers are advised to employ the following measures

Side-by-side comparison with previously used products

Checking for spelling errors or grammatical mistakes on medicine labels

Verifying manufacturing and expiry dates

Examining the appearance and packaging for any anomalies

Confirming authenticity through barcodes or QR codes mandated by the Government of India

DCA advise public to report suspicion promptly on Toll-Free helpline

In a proactive effort to fortify public safety, the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) has established a toll-free hotline (18005996969) for reporting suspected spurious drugs. Alongside this initiative, local medical shops are mandated to prominently display information about the local drugs inspector and the DCA toll-free number.

Authorities emphasize the importance of citizens insisting on bills for purchased medicines, steering clear of unregulated websites, and promptly reporting any unusual health problems linked to drug use.

As the battle against counterfeit drugs intensifies, the DCA remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the public in Telangana.