Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], August 22 (ANI): The Food and Drug Regulatory Authority has launched a major crackdown on the sale of counterfeit, duplicate and illegally traded medicines in Ahmedabad and other locations, reaffirming the Gujarat Government's commitment to ensuring that citizens have access to safe, genuine and quality medicines.

Acting on information received by the Intelligence Bureau of the regulatory authority, officials launched an intensive inspection drive from August 19, following the directions of Health Minister Praful Pansheriya. More than 30 firms, medical stores and agencies have been inspected over the past three days, and the investigation is still underway.

The authorities had received information that a suspected counterfeit or duplicate version of NICARDIA RETARD 10 TABLETS, purportedly manufactured by JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Bharuch, bearing Batch No ACG25007, was being sold through Lilavati Pharmacy and Wellness Pvt. Ltd. in Satellite, Ahmedabad, a release said.

During the investigation, a quantity of NICARDIA RETARD 10 TABLETS, Batch No. ACG25007, showing JB Chemical & Pharmaceutical Limited, Bharuch, as the manufacturer, was found at Nakshn Medical Store in Nadiad. A total of 660 tablets were seized under the prescribed sampling procedure, and the samples have been sent for testing.

The authorities have also taken action against other suspicious medicines detected during the inspections. Samples of various medicines were collected, and the concerned stocks were prohibited from further sale. These include different batches of Nicardia Retard 20 Tablets, Cilacar 5, Cilacar 10, Cilakar TM 50 and Nicardia Retard 10 Tablets, the release said.

Across various firms, suspicious medicines valued at approximately Rs 1.70 lakh have been prohibited under the prescribed procedure pending further investigation.

The preliminary investigation has also revealed a suspected supply chain through which the medicines were being distributed. The chain identified so far includes Sena Pharmas, Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh), which supplied the medicines to Parsh Medical Agency in Paldi, Ahmedabad. The distribution network further involved Paras Ecomad, Satellite, Ahmedabad, followed by Sanand Medical Stores in Sanand and finally Lilavati Pharmacy and Wellness Pvt. Ltd., Satellite, Ahmedabad.

Officials are examining the purchase and sale records of other firms connected with the supply chain. The investigation remains in progress, with authorities indicating that action will be pursued up to the manufacturer level. Police action will also be initiated if required.

The Gujarat Government has reiterated its commitment to taking stringent legal action against individuals and entities involved in the manufacture, distribution or sale of illegal, counterfeit and spurious medicines to protect public health and ensure the availability of genuine and quality medicines to citizens. (ANI)