Last Updated on May 22, 2025 by The Health Master
FDCA Gujarat
The Food and Drugs Administration Gujarat (FDCA Gujarat) is intensifying enforcement actions against chemist shops across the state to remedy illegal sales of narcotic and psychotropic drugs.
With recent investigations published 2023-24, it’s clear that the FDCA Gujarat seeks to promote anti-drug abuse efforts and protect public health, especially among vulnerable youth populations.
Major Enforcement Against Offending Pharmacies
According to Dr. H G Koshia, Commissioner of FDCA Gujarat, there were 2,860 chemist shop inspections in 2023-24.
Between these investigations and many complaints lodged against the pharmacies suspected of abusing drug regulation or selling narcotic drugs illegally, penalties have ensued.
This year alone, 425 chemist shops faced licensing suspension for up to 30 days.
Furthermore, 51 chemist shops lost their licenses permanently for repeated violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics (D&C) Act.
40 FIRs
Dr. Koshia echoed the stance of the department, stating, “Our enforcement teams are conducting a crackdown on the unauthorized sale of narcotic and psychotropic drugs (NDPS) with no tolerance.
This is vital for community safety and ensuring the proper use of these drugs—primarily among vulnerable minors.
Moreover, within this period, 40 FIRs have been filed by FDCA Gujarat which indicates how far the crimes detected go.
This only furthers a notion how serious the FDCA Gujarat is about this newly detected crime.
Action during 2016 to 2024
It’s not a single-day operation. It’s a continuous crackdown launched by FDCA Gujarat from 2016 to 2024 every year for the past eight years.
During these years, more than 12,250 pharma companies have been audited with respect to being on the radar for selling drugs with narcotic or psychotropic properties like codeine and alprazolam.
In all, 2,157 licenses have been suspended and 204 cancelled.”
594 inspections
FDCA Gujarat has consistently inspected with a focus on the last few years, and 2022 has been a productive year for the department, with 594 inspections showing that their awareness to fix any faults is already underway in this second quarter of 2022.
Pharmaceutical integrity
“We have a clear message for offenders.”
“If you’re involved in the illicit drug trade, we’re coming for you, and we’re going to do everything we can under the law to punish you.”
“The FDCA Gujarat will ensure pharmaceutical integrity.” According to Dr. Koshia, the department is committed to this matter posthaste, calling all chemists and druggists to adhere to regulatory oversight.
Compliance action and investigative action will increase over the next few years, according to FDCA Gujarat, for the sake of citizen safety and prevention of adverse effects from strong medication use.
Year wise detail
To provide a clearer picture of the escalating enforcement actions, here’s a breakdown of the inspections and penalties over the years:
| Year | Firms Inspected | Licenses Suspended | Licenses Cancelled |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 569 | 169 | 5 |
| 2017 | 644 | 194 | 4 |
| 2018 | 1019 | 499 | 37 |
| 2019 | 861 | 342 | 42 |
| 2020 | 452 | 128 | 16 |
| 2021 | 659 | 165 | 20 |
| 2022 | 5186 | 235 | 29 |
| 2023-24 | 2860 | 425 | 5 |
Q. What is FDDA Gujarat doing about NDPS?
A. FDCA Gujarat is conducting extensive inspections of chemist shops, suspending/cancelling licenses of those found breaching the rules and regulations of sale and enabling illegal sale of controlled/narcotic and psychotropic substances (NDPS), and also filing FIRs against the offenders.
Q. What actions will be taken against errant pharmacies?
A. Errant pharmacies are subject to license suspension to cancellation (up to 30 days and thereafter, cancellation) if they are caught violating the laws or being in collusion with the same intent. In some extreme cases, FDA Gujarat is filing a case in court against them.
Q. What must chemists and pharmacists do?
A. All chemists and pharmacists are urged to follow all rules and regulations to the letter and ensure that they are not at fault whatsoever with respect to the illegal sale of controlled/narcotic substances. There will be surprise checks done more frequently, so any error on their part will lead to severe actions.
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.
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