DCA officials seizes overpriced injections
In a recent operation, officials from the State Drugs Control Administration (DCA) conducted a raid in Hanamkonda, seizing 55 vials of ‘Pubergen HP nu 2000’ injections. The injections, a Chorionic Gonadotropin variant, were found to be sold above the ceiling price set by the Central government, prompting the action.
The DCA officials revealed that the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) mentioned on the label, Rs. 598.16 per vial, was in violation of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. The product, manufactured by Sanzyme (P) Ltd. and marketed by J B Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd., is under price control as per the order, and the price should adhere to the ceiling price fixed by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), which is Rs. 343.64.
The excessive MRP of Rs. 598.16 per vial amounted to a 55.4% violation of the order, with an excess charge of Rs. 231.29 per vial. DCA officials, including C Rajavardhana Chary, Deputy Director, Warangal, Dr G Rajyalakshmi, Assistant Director, and drug inspectors J Kiran Kumar (Hanamkonda) and M Aravind Kumar (Warangal), conducted the raid. An investigation is underway, and appropriate legal actions will be taken against the offenders.
In a separate raid, DCA officials targeted a ‘quack’ identified as Subrata Mandal, operating a clinic in Bhanur village, Patancheru mandal, Sangareddy district. Mandal claimed to be a ‘rural medical practitioner’ but lacked the necessary qualifications. The officers discovered unauthorized stocking of a substantial quantity of medicines for sale.
A total of 54 varieties of medicines, including antibiotics, steroids, anti-ulcer drugs, antihypertensives, and analgesics, worth Rs. 73,000 were seized during the operation. Concerns were raised about the indiscriminate sale of antibiotics by an unqualified individual, emphasizing the potential health risks, including the emergence of ‘Antimicrobial Resistance.’ Samples were collected for analysis, and a thorough investigation will be conducted to take legal action against the offenders. The raid was carried out by drug inspectors M Chandrasekhar (Patancheru) and N Ravikiran Reddy (Sangareddy).
