Hyderabad, Jan 28: Telangana’s Drugs Control Administration (DCA) conducted raids on a medical shop in Hyderabad and a quack’s clinic in Medak district, seizing drugs valued at Rs 1.90 lakh.
In the initial operation, DCA officials raided a medical shop in Jangammet, Falaknuma, discovering it was operating illegally without a drug license. They confiscated a substantial stock of medicines worth Rs 1.20 lakhs. DCA Director General V. B. Kamalasan Reddy revealed that K. Achutha Reddy was running the unlicensed medical shop, where 40 varieties of medicines were found. The seized medicines included antibiotics, anti-diabetic drugs, antifungal drugs, anti-hypertensive drugs, painkillers, and anti-ulcer drugs. Samples were collected for analysis, and further investigation will proceed with appropriate legal action against the offenders.
In the second raid, DCA officials targeted a quack’s clinic in Kothapet village, Medak district, seizing drugs worth Rs 70,000. The clinic, operated by D. Srinivas, claimed to be a ‘Rural Medical Practitioner’ without the necessary qualifications. Officials confiscated 41 varieties of medicines, including antibiotics, steroids, analgesics, anti-ulcer drugs, and antihypertensives. The accused stocked the medicines without a valid drug license, posing significant risks to public health, particularly in rural areas where unqualified individuals indiscriminately sell antibiotics, potentially leading to antimicrobial resistance.
The DCA emphasized that wholesalers and dealers supplying medicines to unlicensed entities would face stringent legal action under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. They urged wholesalers and dealers to ensure that recipients hold valid drug licenses before supplying medicines. Stocking and selling drugs without a license are punishable offenses under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, carrying imprisonment of up to five years.
