Gujarat Takes Strong Action Against Drug Firms and Food Safety Violations

Gujarat's Crackdown on Drug and Food Safety

Gandhinagar, Sep 2: The Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) of Gujarat has revoked the sales licenses of 50 pharmaceutical companies and ordered the shutdown of two manufacturing facilities due to significant deficiencies discovered during inspections. In August alone, authorities seized over 42,988 kg of questionable products valued at approximately Rs 93.47 lakh throughout the state.

This decisive action was discussed in a high-level meeting led by state Health Minister Praful Pansheriya, who emphasized a strict 'zero tolerance' policy towards counterfeit, substandard, and illegally marketed medicines and food items.

During the meeting, it was revealed that the FDCA had also suspended the licenses of eight drug manufacturers and revoked the manufacturing permits for 11 medications following risk-based evaluations.

Manufacturers of 20 medicines identified as substandard in laboratory tests received show-cause notices.

Among the 42 blood storage facilities inspected statewide, three were ordered to close, and 12 were issued show-cause notices. Pansheriya stated that the government would pursue stringent legal measures against those jeopardizing public health.

He noted, "A special initiative to evaluate the quality of antibiotics in rural regions led to the collection of 588 medicine samples for testing."

The FDCA also targeted alleged networks involved in the illegal distribution of narcotic and counterfeit drugs in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Mehsana.

In a collaborative investigation with the Special Operations Group, officials confiscated a stock of narcotic injections, including tramadol, from a shop adjacent to a medical store in Waghodia, Vadodara district.

Legal proceedings under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act are being initiated by the department.

In a separate incident involving counterfeit 'Nicardia Retard 10' tablets, inspections were carried out at over 30 locations as officials traced the supply chain of these falsely labeled products, which were purportedly manufactured by J.B. Chemicals. Suspicious stock valued at more than Rs 1.75 lakh was seized or prohibited.

The investigation traced the supply chain from Sena Pharma in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, to Ahmedabad and Sanand, leading to a complaint filed with the Ahmedabad Crime Branch for further inquiry into the counterfeit medicines' origins.

Additionally, the FDCA confiscated cosmetics worth over Rs 2.68 lakh from Aanki Herbal in Tragad, Ahmedabad, which was allegedly operating without a valid license.

At Bavishi Dispensary in Dholikui, Kapadvanj, officials uncovered the illegal production of a medicine intended for children, seizing materials valued at Rs 66,400.

The food safety initiative reached over 2,238 food business operators in August, with approximately 2,591 samples collected for laboratory analysis.

Among the largest seizures were 14,709 kg of oil and 6,495 kg of edible oil in Patan; 5,157 kg of ghee in Kamrej, Surat; 7,138 kg of milk in Jamnagar; and 6,071 kg of chili powder in Deesa, Banaskantha.

The department also inspected more than 1,625 restaurants and dhabas to assess hygiene and food quality.

Improvement notices were issued to 306 establishments with identified deficiencies, while 38 establishments faced actions, including license cancellations, for serious violations.

Intensive inspections were conducted in Surat, Valsad, Anand, Jamnagar, and Mehsana, with actions taken against the illegal sale and use of dairy analogues.

The FDCA inspected 3,078 firms, collected 145 suspicious samples, and destroyed 2,553.10 kg of substandard dairy analogue products valued at Rs 7,54,386.

Pansheriya instructed officials to maintain ongoing surveillance over commonly consumed products, particularly milk, ghee, oil, and spices.

The minister reiterated that ensuring access to pure and quality food is a priority and directed authorities to continue surprise inspections and legal actions under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and relevant regulations.

This latest initiative reinforces the state government's commitment to a zero-tolerance stance against the illegal sale of counterfeit, substandard, and harmful medicines, with similar enforcement actions reported earlier this year.