The Drug Control Administration (DCA) on June 22 raided various locations across Telangana and seized medicines with false claims of curing diabetes and fever.
During a special drive, the DCA officials seized Diofil capsules, an Ayurvedic medicine which claimed to treat diabetes. Stocks of the medicines were seized during the raid conducted at a medical shop in Parigi, Vikarabad.
Officials further seized Kalmegh powder, from a medical shop at Tarnaka. Advertising a medicine for the treatment of ‘diabetes’ and ‘fever’ is prohibited under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.
“Further investigation will be carried out and action will be taken as per the law against all the offenders,” officials said.
In Adilabad, the DCA officials sealed a clinic operated by a quack who was identified as G Vaikuntam, a resident of Dasnapur village. The accused claimed to be a rural medical practitioner and was practising medicine without qualification.
During the raid, DCA seized unlicenced medicines stocked at the clinic. In all, 26 varieties of medicines, including antibiotics, steroids, analgesics and anti-ulcer drugs were found stocked on the premises. The DCA officials seized the stock worth a total of Rs 20,000 during the raid.
Officials detected several higher generation ‘antibiotics’ at the clinic during the raid. Indiscriminate sale of antibiotics by unqualified persons may have disastrous consequences on the health of rural public, including emergence of ‘antimicrobial resistance’.
Officials also found ‘steroids’ at the clinic operated by the quack. Misusing steroids can have serious health consequences, including immune system suppression, hormonal imbalances, muscle and bone weakness, cardiovascular problems and psychological effects. The indiscriminate use of steroids poses significant risks to public health. Samples were lifted from the clinic for further investigation.
