In a significant operation, drug inspectors from the Telangana State Drugs Control Administration (TSDCA) have uncovered the illicit manufacturing and sale of medicines disguised as ‘food products/nutraceuticals.’ The crackdown revealed that certain drugs, including Glucosamine, Methyl sulfonyl methane, Diacerein Tablet, Pregabalin, and Methylcobalamin Capsules, were falsely produced under the cover of a food license at SL Health Care, located at IDA Prashanthi Nagar in Kukatpally and Medchal-Malkajgiri districts.
During the raid, officials from the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) found that the company was engaged in the illegal manufacturing and sale of two products, namely ORTHO-D (Glucosamine 750 mg, Methyl Sulfonyl Methane 250mg, and Diacerin 50 mg Tablet) and Pregavit-M (Pregabalin 75 mg & Methylcobalamin 750 mcg Capsules), falsely labeled as food products/nutraceuticals.
Sales records indicated that ORTHO-D was supplied to Balaji Pharma, Narsaraopet, and Pregavit-M to Unity Drugs, Vaddera Bazar, Narsaraopet, with a total sales value of Rs. 2.90 lakh.
It was discovered that the drug ORTHO-D, consisting of Glucosamine 750 mg, Methyl Sulfonyl Methane 250 mg, and Diacerin 50 mg Tablet, was approved for the treatment of Osteoarthritis. Similarly, the product Pregabalin 75 mg and Methylcobalamin 750 mcg Capsules were approved for treating Peripheral Neuropathy in adult patients.
The unauthorized manufacturing and sale of these drugs, falsely labeled under a food license, raised concerns as they did not adhere to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and failed to meet the quality standards specified in the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP). Such products pose serious health risks to patients. The act of manufacturing and selling these drugs without a valid drug license is a punishable offense under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with potential imprisonment of up to five years, as highlighted by DG, DCA, VB Kamalasan Reddy. The crackdown underscores the importance of stringent regulations to safeguard public health.
