Last Updated on March 7, 2025 by The Health Master
Tamil Nadu DCA
The Drug Control Administration Tamil Nadu (DCA Tamil Nadu) isn’t taking any chances when it comes to the quality of medications circulating in the state.
They’ve launched a major campaign to make sure what’s on pharmacy shelves is safe and effective.
This means increased scrutiny for both the folks making the drugs and those distributing them, with the goal of kicking substandard and fake medications off the market and protecting public health.
It’s a clear signal that Tamil Nadu is serious about its drug regulations and building trust in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Swift Action by Tamil Nadu DCA
The DCA’s crackdown isn’t just talk.
They’ve got the numbers to back it up.
In the past ten months (from April 1, 2024, to February 17, 2025), they’ve dished out 221 prosecution orders for violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act of 1940 and its related rules.
This shows they’re not messing around. Beyond that, they’ve also suspended 327 retail pharmacy licenses and 54 wholesale licenses.
And to really drive the point home, they completely revoked 45 licenses (both retail and wholesale).
It’s a zero-tolerance approach for repeat offenders and serious breaches.
Tracing the Problem: Manufacturing Under Scrutiny
The DCA isn’t just looking at the corner pharmacy.
They’re going straight to the source – the drug manufacturers.
Over the same ten-month period, they started legal action against 65 manufacturers for producing drugs that didn’t meet quality standards.
While five of these companies are in Tamil Nadu, the vast majority (60) are elsewhere.
This highlights how this is a problem that crosses state lines.
Interestingly, even with the focus on substandard drugs, they only found one instance of fake drugs being made within Tamil Nadu.
However, they did find four cases of counterfeit medications made outside the state being sold in Tamil Nadu, which means they need to stay vigilant about what’s coming in.
Keeping an Eye on Prescriptions
The DCA’s campaign also includes a close look at how pharmacies operate.
Drug inspectors are doing regular checks to make sure everyone’s following the rules.
This includes checking if registered pharmacists are on duty, if prescription records are being kept properly, and if the rules for selling strong medications (Schedule H and H1) are being followed.
As a result, 45 pharmacies were penalized for not having a registered pharmacist on staff.
Another 104 got in trouble for messy prescription records, and 19 faced legal action for problems with selling those Schedule H and H1 drugs.
The good news? No one was caught selling expired medications.
Addressing All Violations
Beyond the major violations, the DCA also reported a case involving misleading advertising for drugs (under the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act) and two cases of violating price controls (the DPCO).
The Tamil Nadu DCA, headed by Director MN Sridhar with his team is committed to continue the enforcement for access of safe and effective medicines to people of Tamil Nadu.
Q. What’s the Tamil Nadu DCA’s main goal?
To ensure the quality and availability of safe drugs in Tamil Nadu by tackling substandard, fake, and expired medications, and by enforcing good pharmacy practices.
Q. What kind of actions have Tamil Nadu DCA taken?
They’ve issued prosecution orders, suspended and revoked licenses, and started legal proceedings against manufacturers and retailers breaking the rules.
Q. What were some common pharmacy violations?
Operating without a registered pharmacist, selling drugs with out prescriptions, and not maintaining the sale records of Schedule H and H1 drugs.
Disclaimer: This article contains information obtained from the source mentioned below. Our team made changes in the format to rewrite and present the news or article in a unique format.
Action against sale of habit-forming drugs without prescription: Tamil Nadu
MN Sridhar has been appointed as Director of Drug Control Administration: Tamil Nadu
Inspections to be started for compliance of Revised Schedule M: Tamil Nadu
MN Sridhar appointed as State Licensing and Controlling Authority of Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu Cracks Down on Pharmaceutical Violations
Tamil Nadu: The Restructuring of (DCA) Drugs Control Administration
₹5.67 Crore Seized in illegal Tramadol Exports to Pakistan
2.5 lakh Intoxicating Tablets recovered from Pharma Company
Medical Device Manufacturing Hubs in India: State-Wise Detail
Medical Device Manufacturing Hubs in India: State-Wise Detail
Drug recall: Glenmark and FDC recall Drugs due to this issue
Online Registration of Cosmetics in India: CDSCO
Key Notes on Revised Schedule M: Metered Dose Inhalers
Surprise Inspection of Pharma Companies by Rajasthan
USFDA inspection at Zydus API plant with zero observations
For informative videos by The Health Master, click on the below YouTube icon:
For informative videos on Medical Store / Pharmacy, click on the below YouTube icon:
For informative videos on the news regarding Pharma / Medical Devices / Cosmetics / Homoeopathy etc., click on the below YouTube icon:
For informative videos on consumer awareness, click on the below YouTube icon:
