FDA seizes Rs 73 lakh meds for misleading claims in Maharashtra

Mumbai: In a statewide crackdown on misleading drug advertisements and sale of misbranded medicines, the state Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday seized stocks worth Rs 73 lakh from 12 establishments across seven districts.

The raids were carried out simultaneously in Mumbai, Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Nagpur, Amravati and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

FDA officials said action was initiated after authorities noticed advertisements making exaggerated therapeutic claims for ayurvedic medicines sold in the market.

A major portion of the seizure involved products manufactured by Divya Pharmacy, Haridwar, Uttarakhand, which were allegedly marketed with misleading claims of cures and “miraculous” treatment for serious illnesses.

FDA officials said stocks worth Rs 18.58 lakh were seized in Konkan division alone, followed by Pune (Rs 14.68 lakh), Nagpur (Rs 7.26 lakh) and Nashik (Rs 7.10 lakh). In Greater Mumbai, medicines worth Rs 1.85 lakh were seized for alleged violations of regulations.

Officials also seized misbranded allopathy medicines worth Rs 21.83 lakh during inspections.

“Direct and effective legal action will be taken against those violating the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and other relevant laws. Safe medicines are the fundamental right of every citizen,” said newly appointed FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe.

The FDA also appealed to citizens not to self-medicate based on advertisements and to report suspicious products or misleading claims to the administration.