Hyderabad: The Telangana Drugs Controller General (DCA) has suspended the licences of six pharmaceutical wholesalers for 30 days for illegally procuring insulin injections (prefilled pens) without purchase details. The action will be followed by prosecution proceedings against the wholesalers.
Shares worth Rs 51.92 lakh have been seized.
Between March 15 and 20, DCA officials conducted raids at six medicine distributors in Hyderabad. The checks found that insulin injections were being sold at over 40 per cent discounted rates. These injections were procured from New Delhi without purchase details.
The DCA seized stock worth Rs 5,192 crore during the searches. It was found that the wholesalers concerned were giving huge discounts on insulin injections for lack of purchase details, which is a violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
Wholesaler and seized stock details
Secunderabad drug hub: Rs 67 lakh
Tirumala Pharma in Medchal-Malkajgiri district: Rs 3.52 lakh
Shree Paras Medical Institution, Sultan Bazar, Hyderabad: Rs 90 lakh
Sri Ganesh Pharma dealers in Medchal-Malkajgiri district: Rs 1.4 million
Sree Raja Rajeshwara dealership in Medchal Malkajgiri district: Rs 27 lakh
Sri Balaji Agency, Kachiguda, Hyderabad: Rs 1.6 million
Tax evasion and health and safety risks
“The illegal procurement and sale of medicines without purchasing details poses serious health and safety risks. Lack of proper documentation means the quality, authenticity and safety of medicines cannot be verified, posing potential dangers to consumers,” the agency said.
Additionally, failure to keep purchasing statements may prevent accurate reporting of expenses and revenues related to drug procurement and sales, which could lead to tax evasion.
In response to these violations, DCA has taken strict action by suspending the licenses of the wholesalers concerned for 30 days and initiating prosecution proceedings.
Official Recommendation
Complaints regarding pharmaceutical misconduct can be reported to DCA on its toll-free number 1800-599-6969, available weekdays from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm.
