Telangana Drugs Control administration seizes overpriced medicines, cracks down on misleading advertisements

HYDERABAD: Telangana Drugs Control Administration on Thursday seized two overpriced medicines, where the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) indicated was significantly higher than the Ceiling Price set by the Central Government.

During raids conducted from May 22nd to May 23rd, 2024, officials seized two overpriced medicines. These included Vasfin-O 5gm Ointment (Mupirocin Ointment 2 percent w/w) at Beeramguda, Ameenpur village, Sangareddy District, and ITRACOP-200 Capsules (Itraconazole Capsules 200 mg) at Malkajgiri, Medchal-Malkajgiri District.

Both Vasfin-O 5gm Ointment and ITRACOP-200 Capsules are under price control as per the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, and their prices should adhere to the 'Ceiling Price' fixed by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Government of India.

Details of the seized products

Vasfin-O 5gm Ointment is manufactured by Dermiderm Biotech Pvt. Ltd., located in Alipur, Barwala, Haryana, and marketed by Vityl Pharmaceuticals Pvt. Ltd. in Hyderabad. The Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for a 5 gm tube is Rs. 140. However, the Ceiling Price set by the Central Government is Rs. 101.45 per 5 gm tube. This indicates an excess price charged of Rs. 26.40 per 5 gm tube.

The ITRACOP-200 Capsules are manufactured by Zenith Drugs Pvt Ltd in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and marketed by Rhon-Poule Life science, also based in Indore. The Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for a pack of 10 capsules is Rs. 285. However, the Ceiling Price set by the Central Government is Rs. 22.12 for one capsule. Consequently, an excess price of Rs. 37.3 is charged for a pack of 10 capsules.

Officials involved in the raids include G. Srikanth, P. Sravanthi Reddy, P. Renuka, K. Murali Krishna, T. Shiva Teja, and M. Surendranath.

Further investigations will be conducted, and necessary actions will be taken against offenders in accordance with the law.

Telangana Drugs Control Administration detected certain medicines circulating in the market with misleading claims on their labels

Additionally, the Telangana Drugs Control Administration detected certain medicines circulating in the market with misleading claims on their labels, in violation of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

During the special drive conducted on May 22nd and 23rd, officials detected and seized two products for misleading claims. Sufat-O Suspension, purportedly treating 'Peptic Ulcers', was confiscated in Nagarkurnool. Similarly, REST N COLD Tablets, claiming to alleviate 'Fever', were seized in Nizamabad.

G. Ravi Kiran, R. Srilatha, and other officials carried out the raids. Further investigation will be conducted, and appropriate actions will be taken as per the law against offenders.

Persons involved in making misleading advertisements regarding drugs for treatment of certain diseases and disorders are punishable under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

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