Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad
Gandhinagar/Ahmedabad, May 3: The Gujarat government has stepped up its enforcement drive against spurious and addictive medicines, with Health Minister Praful Pansheriya announcing that drugs worth over Rs 1.21 crore have been seized or prohibited during statewide raids.
The action was carried out by the state’s Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) across multiple locations, including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Savli, and Bharuch, as part of an ongoing crackdown on counterfeit, substandard, and habit-forming medicines.
The minister reiterated the government’s “zero tolerance” policy, stating that the administration will not compromise on public health and is taking strict steps against illegal drug trade, especially those contributing to addiction among youth.
In Ahmedabad, major violations were detected at several pharmaceutical units. At Pavan Formulation, officials found large stocks of codeine-based cough syrup and other narcotic and abuse-prone medicines. Due to serious irregularities in records, drugs worth over Rs 76.51 lakh were prohibited.
At Yusuf Medicines in Gomtipur, an Ayurvedic product was found to contain diclofenac, a prohibited allopathic ingredient, leading to its classification as spurious and seizure of stock.
Another firm, Times Medicament Private Limited, faced action after irregularities were found in billing and storage of Mounjaro injections, resulting in seizure of drugs worth Rs 4.60 lakh. The licence of AEDMAX Lifecare was also suspended for 15 days over illegal sale of codeine-based syrup.
Authorities are also investigating Maxila Mediscience Private Limited for handling psychotropic drug-based medicines such as tramadol and alprazolam, amid concerns over improper distribution and record discrepancies.
In a separate case at Manhar Nagar Shopping Centre in Ahmedabad, officials found medicines being stored without a valid licence. Stock worth nearly ?40 lakh was seized and legal action initiated.
In Vadodara, Medicament Solutions (P) Limited was found selling Mounjaro KwikPen injections online without prescription and using misleading advertisements. Its licence has been permanently cancelled, with legal proceedings underway.
Another Vadodara-based company, Amico Formulation LLP, had its production licence cancelled for manufacturing high-dose Tapentadol Hydrochloride drugs, which have high abuse potential. Samples collected from its unit in Savli’s Ghantiyal village included one batch declared “Not of Standard Quality” by the laboratory, prompting recall orders and seizure of stock.
In Bharuch, ALPHARD Pharma also came under scrutiny for manufacturing similar high-risk formulations, leading to cancellation of its export permissions after central approval was withdrawn.
Officials said the statewide operation will continue with intensified sampling, testing, and enforcement to curb the illegal drug trade and ensure public safety.