The Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) conducted two successful raids to crack down on illegal drug distribution and unauthorized medical device sales.
During the first raid, officials raided a dealer operating without licenses in Secunderabad. The dealer, GundaMaheshwara Murthy, was running a store named ‘MS Medical Systems’ without any authorization. The officials seized substantial stocks of ‘nebulizers’ and ‘steam sterilizers’, classified as ‘Medical Devices’ as per the Medical Devices Rules of 2017, worth Rs 6.5 lakh.
According to the Medical Devices Rules of 2017, it is mandatory for entities selling medical devices to obtain a license registration certificate from the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana. In another raid, the DCA, along with the Excise department, targeted a location in Mattampally village, Suryapet district, suspected of illegally storing and selling addictive drugs at inflated prices.
The raid uncovered a licensed pharmacist, Ramavath Ravindra Naik, storing and distributing codeine-containing cough syrups and nitrazepam tablets from his residence. These controlled substances can be dangerous if abused, leading to addiction, respiratory problems, seizures, and even death. Authorities seized over Rs 20,000 worth of drugs traced back to suppliers in Kodad.
The raids emphasize the seriousness of illegal drug distribution and unauthorized medical device sales, posing threats to public health and violating established laws. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act provides penalties, including imprisonment, for such offenses. The DCA encourages reporting suspicions or complaints by calling their toll-free number, 1800-599-6969.
