Telangana State Drugs Control Administration (DCA) in Shameerpet zone raided Aspen Biopharma Labs Private Ltd in Biotech Park Lalgadi-Malakpet village. They seized drugs worth Rs 5.50 lakhs. The lab is owned by Kadari Sateesh Reddy, who was involved in previous cases of spurious anti-cancer drugs and illicit manufacturing of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients.
During the raid, officials found bulk quantities of two drugs – ‘Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride’ at 110 kgs and ‘Gatifloxacin Hydrochloride’ at 8.4 kgs, both manufactured during a ‘Stop Production Order’ period. The total value of the seized drugs was Rs 5.50 lakhs. Aspen Biopharma Labs had been issued a Stop Production Order in March 2023 due to violations of Good Manufacturing Practices.
DCA officials also raided the clinic of quack Madhavaraju Birudaraju in Khila Warangal village. He was practicing medicine without the necessary qualifications and had a large stock of medicines without a license. Around 48 types of medicines, including antibiotics and IV fluids, were seized worth Rs 52,000. The indiscriminate sale of antibiotics by unqualified individuals can have serious health consequences.
Further investigations will be conducted in both cases, and appropriate legal action will be taken against the offenders. DCA emphasized the importance of wholesalers and dealers ensuring that recipients have valid drug licenses before supplying medicines to prevent illegal practices.
