Patna: A crackdown on counterfeit medicines in Patna has led to the cancellation of 16 pharmacy licences after tests revealed that drugs for serious conditions, including hypertension and diabetes, were being sold without the required active ingredients.
The state Drug Control Administration said raids in the city uncovered a widespread racket in which shopkeepers sold substandard medicines under the guise of branded products. Samples of more than 38 drugs were sent to the Central Drug Laboratory in Kolkata, where many failed quality tests. Among the failed medicines were common prescriptions such as Telma-40 for blood pressure, antibiotics, gas capsules, allergy syrups and several injectable drugs.
Officials said some traders had sourced stock from Uttarakhand using raw bills and sold them in Patna with counterfeit wrappers replicating established pharmaceutical brands. Investigators also found that several medicines contained no essential salts.
The list of shops facing action includes PMS Medical Store, KK Medico, Sunny Medical, Amar Enterprises, Kazem Enterprises, Madhu Pharma, Mahalakshmi Medico, Sinha Care Bioscience, Sakshi Enterprises, Rani Pharma, Anshul Medical Centre and Syndicate Pharma.
The administration confirmed that life-saving injections, including dexamethasone and gentamicin, failed laboratory tests. FIRs have been lodged against several shopkeepers, while Assistant Drug Controller Chunendra Mahato said that the cancelled licences were based on “clear evidence of malpractice”.
Authorities have urged the public to remain vigilant and to check labels and bills when purchasing medicines. They have also appealed for immediate reporting of any suspicious products to local drug control offices or the police.
