Fake Medicine Sales: Gujarat FDCA Traces Supply Chain from Lucknow to Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: The Gujarat Food & Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) has launched a crackdown on the sale of counterfeit and suspected duplicate medicines in the city and other parts of the state. Over 30 medical stores and pharmaceutical agencies have been inspected over the past three days, with 1,250 tablets of suspected counterfeit Nicardia Retard-10 seized and suspected medicine stock worth around Rs. 1.70 lakh placed under restriction.

The inspections were launched following a tip-off about the possible sale of counterfeit or duplicate NICARDIA RETARD 10 Tablets, manufactured by J.B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Bharuch, bearing Batch No. ACG25007. The action began on August 19 and has been carried out at multiple locations, including Ahmedabad.

During the inspections, officials seized 660 tablets of Nicardia Retard 10 bearing the name of J.B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Bharuch, from Kishan Medical Store in Nadiad. The tablets were seized as official samples and sent for testing.

Another 590 tablets of the same medicine were seized from Parshva Medical Agency in Paldi, Ahmedabad. The stock had reportedly been supplied through Apex Pharma Agency, Bhavnagar, to Rotary Timbi Medical Stores in Timbi, Bhavnagar.

The department has also collected samples of other suspected medicines during the inspections and restricted their sale. These include different batches of Nicardia Retard 20, Cilacar 5, Cilacar 10, Cilacar TM 50 and Nicardia Retard 10. The total value of the suspected medicine stock placed under restriction is estimated at around Rs. 1.70 lakh.

Supply chain under scanner

The preliminary investigation has also revealed a suspected supply chain through which the medicines were distributed. According to the department, the chain runs from Sena Pharmas, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), to Parth Medical Agency, Paldi, Ahmedabad; Paras Ecomad, Satellite, Ahmedabad; Sanand Medical Store, Sanand; and ultimately to Leelavati Pharmacy and Wellness Pvt. Ltd., Satellite, Ahmedabad.

The FDCA has expanded its investigation to several firms and medical stores in Ahmedabad, Surat, Bhuj and other locations. Officials are checking the purchase and sales records of the concerned establishments to trace the movement of the suspected medicines.

The establishments inspected include Leelavati Pharmacy and Wellness Pvt. Ltd. and Paras Ecomad in Satellite, Sanand Medical Stores, Parshva Medical Agency in Paldi, Pharma-365, Arihant Medical Agency in Satellite, JLU Medical Agency in Shahibaug, Vardhman Medical Agency, Sagar Pharma Agency in Junagadh, Aagam Gam Pharmaceuticals in Meghaninagar, Ayush Medical Agency, Sumel in Shahibaug, Assure Health Care in Dariyapur, Riddhi Medical Agency in Sola, Paras Medical Agency in Ellisbridge, Global Pharma in Ghatlodia, Giriraj Health Care in Paldi, KM Distributor in Ellisbridge, Meru Pharma and Shyam Distributor in Surat, Sanjeevani Medical in Gandhidham, Apex Pharma in Bhavnagar, Rotary Timbi Medical Store in Umarala, Ram Medical Store and Satyam Pharmacy in Bhavnagar.

The investigation is still underway, and the department plans to trace the supply chain up to the manufacturer. If required, police action will also be initiated against those found to be involved. DeshGujarat