The Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) on Saturday said it seized 1,250 tablets of allegedly fake hypertension medication and restricted for sale Rs 1.7 lakh worth of other suspect medications.
A statement issued by the office of Health minister Praful Pansheriya said, “The FDCA had received confidential information that a fake hypertension (blood pressure) medication was being manufactured in Bharuch and sold in Ahmedabad. The information was that a duplicate of the drug ‘NICARDIA RETARD 10 Tablet’, was manufactured under Batch No. ACG25007 by JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Bharuch, and sold at Lilavati Pharmacy & Wellness Pvt. Ltd. in the Satellite area of Ahmedabad. Based on this information, an investigation was launched on August 19.”
Between August 19 and 21, more than 30 firms and medical stores were inspected by the FDCA and remains underway. However, during the investigation, NICARDIA RETARD 10 Tablets, Batch No. ACG25007, listed in the name of J.B. Chemical & Pharmaceutical Ltd, Bharuch, was recovered from Kishan Medical Store, Nadiad, Kheda.
A total of 660 tablets of this medicine were sent for testing. Further, 590 tablets supplied from Parshva Medical Agency, Paldi, Ahmedabad to Rotary Timbi Medical Stores, in Bhavnagar through Apex Pharma Agency were also seized,” the statement said.
In addition, samples of other suspected medicines were also taken during the investigation and the rest of the stocks were restricted from sale. These include Nicardia Retard 20 tablets, Cilacar 5, Cilacar 10, Cilacar TM 50 and Nicardia Retard 10 tablets of various batches. The restricted drugs are valued at Rs 1.70 lakh. The details of purchase and sale of other related firms are also being verified by the FDCA and further investigation is underway.
