Last Updated on July 8, 2024 by The Health Master
Nutraceuticals
The Drugs Control Administration (DCA) of Telangana has intensified its efforts to combat the illegal sale of counterfeit drugs disguised as dietary supplements (nutraceuticals) in the state.
Recent raids have exposed a concerning trend of companies manufacturing and marketing prescription drugs without proper licensing and safety protocols.
Thianova: Vitamin B1 Tablets Illegally Marketed as a Food Product
One such case involves ‘Thianova’ (Thiamine Mononitrate tablets 100 mg), manufactured by Zenomed Healthcare Pvt Ltd in Tamil Nadu and marketed by Elinova Lifesciences Pvt. Ltd in Hyderabad.
This product, classified as a drug according to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, was alarmingly sold under a food license (FSSAI License Number 12418031000627).
Serious Violations: Non-Compliance with GMP and Indian Pharmacopoeia
A senior DCA official highlighted the company’s blatant disregard for regulations.
The manufacturing process violated Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) outlined in Schedule-M of the Drug Rules.
Additionally, the product failed to meet the quality standards mandated by the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP).
This raises concerns about the product’s efficacy and potential health risks for consumers.
- Key Violations:
- Manufactured without a valid drug license
- Non-adherence to GMP principles
- Failure to meet IP quality standards
Action Taken: Legal Ramifications for Counterfeit Drugs
The DCA has initiated legal action against the companies involved under Section 18C of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
This offense carries a potential penalty of imprisonment for up to five years.
Similar Incidents: A Pattern of Deception
This is not an isolated case.
The DCA has identified previous instances (November 2023 and January 2024) where “drugs” were disguised as “food products” and sold with non-existent active ingredients.
These “spurious” products pose a severe threat to public health.
Beyond Thianova: More Counterfeit “Nutraceuticals” Seized
The recent raids yielded more alarming discoveries:
- Zyfer-XT (ferrous ascorbate, folic acid tablets): Manufactured by Hyderabad-based Hindustan Nutraceuticals Inc. and marketed by Matrix-Takeda Pharma (Mumbai), this drug was also falsely sold under a food license (FSSAI License number 10017047000796).
- Proferron-XT Haematinic tablets (ferrous ascorbate, folic acid & zinc tablets): Manufactured by Macsol Lifescience in Gujarat, this product was illegally sold without a proper drug license.
Consumer Warning: Importance of Legitimate Drug Suppliers
These incidents highlight the critical need for consumers to be vigilant and purchase medications only from licensed pharmacies and authorized retailers.
Counterfeit drugs can be ineffective or even harmful, causing serious health complications.
DCA’s Commitment to Public Safety
The DCA’s proactive approach to combating the sale of counterfeit drugs demonstrates their commitment to protecting public health in Telangana.
By cracking down on such illegal activities, the DCA ensures that consumers have access to safe and effective medications.
Disclaimer: This article contains information derived from the source mentioned below. Our team utilized an AI language model to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.
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