Racket involving supply of spurious drug raw material busted in Paonta Sahib
In a major crackdown on the illegal drug trade, a joint operation conducted by officials of the Drugs Control Administration, Himachal Pradesh, and the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has led to busting of a spurious active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) supplying racket.
The action is considered significant as the API is the raw material used in manufacturing of drugs. Its spurious supply will further compromise the quality of drugs manufactured using them.
The erring firm — Manglam Pharma — was jointly raided on July 3 by the state and central authorities. Firm owner Kewal Krishan was arrested on Saturday for trading in spurious drugs under Section 17(B) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, confirmed officials.
Acting on specific intelligence, the regulatory teams conducted a surprise inspection at a trading premises located near the bus stand at Paonta Sahib in Sirmaur district on July 3. The inspection continued till last evening. The premises, which is authorised for wholesale drug distribution with a licence valid up to December 25,2028, was found in possession of two APIs — Thiocolchicoside and Azithromycin — suspected to be spurious.
The samples of the two APIs were collected and sent for analysis. Officials came to know that two pharmaceutical firms from Kala Amb and Parwanoo had purchased these APIs at price lower than prevalent in the market. Preliminary probe reveals that the APIs confiscated by the authorities had been pilfered from an Uttarakhand firm where a probe was underway by the authorities concerned.
Dr Manish Kapoor, Drugs Controller, Himachal Pradesh, said the recovered APIs — Thiocolchicoside, commonly used for its anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant properties, and Azithromycin, a widely used antibiotic — were stored without any valid purchase documentation in violation of the norms. The competent person under the licence and proprietor of the firm failed to produce purchase bills for the said APIs following which they were taken into custody by inspecting officials, Kapoor said.
Further investigation revealed that the spurious APIs were being sourced from Uttarakhand, leading to two more arrests by the regulators in the neighbouring state where detailed investigation was underway, he said. More revelations were expected as the inquiry progressed, he said.
While emphasising on the state government’s zero-tolerance policy towards such criminal activities that threaten public health, Dr Kapoor asserted, “Those indulging in such nefarious practices are playing with human lives. They will face all legal repercussions. Stringent action will be initiated under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, against the erring trader.”
He further said specific directions had been issued to the licensing authority and drug inspector concerned to expedite investigation and initiate requisite legal action into the matter.
Kapoor reiterated their resolve to ensure the availability of safe, effective and quality medicines and to continue working in close coordination with the CDSCO and other state regulatory bodies to eliminate such threats from the pharmaceutical supply chain.
After involvement of Paonta Sahib and Kala Amb-based pharmaceutical manufacturers in nefarious drug supply, the district was emerging as the hub of illicit drug trade in the region.
Himachal Tribune