200 samples picked up as govt goes after trade in illegal drugs, shop sealed in Delhi

27 wholesale drug dealers, which distribute medicines across North India, inspected

In the last one year, the Drugs Control department in Delhi has conducted numerous drug sampling raids.

From medicines for cough, cold and fever to the ones for high blood pressure, diabetes, and allergy, the Drugs Control department of the Delhi government on Saturday collected 204 samples for analysis during an enforcement drive against illegal drug trade at Bhagirath Palace as the stores of 27 wholesale drug dealers, which distribute medicines across North India, were inspected.

During the drive, which has been described by the department as a part of the crackdown on the illegal drug trade in the Capital, one such store was also sealed for not having the required licences in violation of the Medical Devices Rules, according to officials. Sources said the medicines seized included cough and cold medicines, Telmisartan, Cetirizine, Paracetamol, Metformin. “This is a part of a routine drive that the Drug Control department has been conducting on a regular basis,” said an official from the Health department.

In the last one year, the Drugs Control department in Delhi has conducted numerous drug sampling raids. In 9 cases, drug samples were found to be of counterfeit nature. “Prosecution is ongoing in court and investigation is underway in those cases,” said an official.

On Saturday, according to an official statement, over 10 firms were found contravening provisions of the Drugs Rules. “Necessary action has been initiated against the defaulting firms under the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules,” the statement read.

The statement added that “the intensified action was carried out under the directions of Health Minister Dr Pankaj Kumar Singh, in line with the CM Rekha Gupta–led Delhi government’s firm resolve to ensure the availability of safe, effective and quality medicines for the
public.” On the drive, the Health Minister said: “Ensuring the availability of safe and quality medicines is non-negotiable. We have zero tolerance for spurious, substandard or illegally sold drugs and medical devices. Strict enforcement drives and coordinated actions with law enforcement agencies will continue across Delhi to protect public health.”

The latest drive comes after a joint team of the Drugs Control department and Delhi Police conducted a late-night raid at a drug trading premises at Teliwara in Sadar Bazar. The operation led to the detection and seizure of a large quantity of counterfeit and spurious medicines and anti-fungal cream worth around Rs 2 crore from one of the drug traders.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the seized counterfeit medicines were being supplied to adjacent states and neighbouring countries. In view of this, the Drugs Control Departments of the concerned neighbouring states have been formally informed about the malpractice for necessary vigilance and coordinated action.

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The Health Minister said that such intensified enforcement drives will continue across the city to curb the sale of spurious, substandard and illegally sold drugs and medical devices.

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