RAID: CDSCO seizes 2350 kg drugs including Erythromycin, Vitamon D, Folic Acid worth over Rs 1.5 crores in Chennai

New Delhi: In a major crackdown, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has confiscated bulk drugs including Erythromycin, Megestrol Acetate and others worth over Rs 1.5 crore allegedly being imported from China. According to a recent media report, Drugs Control Department of Tamil Nadu assisted CDSCO to bust the illegal import of the drugs weighing over 2350 kg in Chennai.

The raid was conducted on April 25 at the premises of Kanwarlal&Co and Madhavaram by the regulators from the CDSCO’s headquarter in Delhi and of its south zone, with those from the drugs control department of the state Government Co.

The raid brought to light that a major part of these illegal drugs was trafficked by Nutranol Ingredients and formulation manufacturers were sold these bulk drugs under fake registration certificates. Besides, a few of the labels claimed that the drugs met pharmacopoeial specifications.

The joint inspection team seized all the imported bulk drugs which were found stocked without purchase bills, registration certificate and import license.

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Among the seized drugs, Erythromycin Stearate (235 Kgs), Verapamil Hydrochloride ( 155 Kgs), Megestrol Acetate (70 kgs), Trimetazidine dihydrochloride (1344 kgs), Folic Acid (125 Kgs), Silymarin (175 kgs), Calcium D Pantothenate (250 kgs) were found in large quantities.

The labels on the containers of these bulk drugs clarified that the drugs have been manufactured in China. The names of the manufacturers claimed on the labels are Zhejiang Medicines & Health Products, Ningbo Hitech Biochemicals Co. Ltd., Jingjing Pharmaceuticals co ltd., Shandong Sinder Technology Co., Ltd., and others.

“Import of unregistered drugs without quality evaluation is a major health hazard to the patients using formulation made from these bulk drugs. The cost of the seized material is estimated to be about Rs 1.5 crore, which may be much more in the open market. It is suspected that the total value of illegal transactions may run into several crores,” the CDSCO said in a statement

While the CDSCO continues with the investigation, regulators have also informed the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, which will take appropriate action under the law.

As per Section 13, import of a drug deemed to be adulterated or spurious drug entice a punishment of at least 3 years of capital punishment along with a fine. Moreover, Sale and distribution of a drug without a valid license also attracts similar punishment under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

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