Major Drug Raid in Vijayawada Uncovers Expiry Date Tampering Operation
The Drugs Control Administration (DCA) authorities in Vijayawada have made a significant breakthrough in combating pharmaceutical fraud. During coordinated raids conducted on Friday and Saturday, officials seized drugs valued at approximately Rs 4 lakh and uncovered a sophisticated operation involving the alteration of expiry dates on medications.
Seizure of Tampering Equipment and Drugs
Acting on directives from the Drugs & Copyrights and DCA Director General, a joint inspection team led by Drug Inspectors KV Bhupesh and Veeraiah Banothu from Zone II and Zone IV, along with Visakhapatnam CDSCO sub-zone Drug Inspector V Vijaya Kumar, targeted Dicon Health Care in Vijayawada. The raid revealed a disturbing practice: the licensee was found to have altered the expiry dates of nine different drug varieties using fabricated rubber stamps.
In addition to the drugs, authorities confiscated 22 stamps specifically designed for tampering with batch and expiry particulars. Evidence also included a half-used bottle of SHEENLAC D13X NC Thinner, allegedly utilized to erase original label details, and a paper containing multiple stamp impressions of altered batch and expiry information. This discovery points to a systematic effort to mislead consumers about product safety.
Legal Actions and Regulatory Violations
The DCA has booked a case against Dicon Health Care under Section 23(5)(b) of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940. The violations fall under provisions of Section 18(vi) read with Rule 104-A, which are punishable under Section 27(d) of the same act. These sections pertain to the manufacture and sale of drugs not of standard quality, highlighting the serious nature of the offense.
Simultaneously, under the supervision of the NTR district DCA assistant director, special drives were conducted against unlicensed medical practices in the Jaggaiahpet and Penuganchiprolu areas. During these operations, drugs worth Rs 4 lakh were seized from three unlicensed premises operated by Registered Medical Practitioners (RMPs). Cases have been registered against these RMPs under relevant sections of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the seized property has been presented before the judicial first class magistrate for further legal proceedings.
Public Advisory and Safety Measures
On this occasion, the DCA issued a stern warning to the public, urging them to avoid seeking treatment from unqualified practitioners, often referred to as Quack RMPs or PMPs. The administration emphasized the importance of purchasing medicines only from duly licensed medical shops to ensure authenticity and safety.
Furthermore, the DCA advised consumers to diligently verify the batch number, manufacturing date, and expiry date before making any medication purchases. They encouraged the public to report any suspicious drug products directly to the DCA, reinforcing the role of community vigilance in maintaining pharmaceutical integrity. This proactive approach aims to safeguard public health and prevent the circulation of substandard or expired drugs in the market.
