Hyderabad, May 30 (NSS): Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, seized ‘Metnuron-OD Tablets’ in Pragnapur village, Gajwel mandal of Siddipet district, which were falsely manufactured and sold under the guise of ‘food products and nutraceuticals’.
In separate events, DCA seized certain medicines due to misleading advertisements. They are: Maharshi Ayurveda GLUCOMAP, an Ayurvedic medicine, claimed to treat ‘Diabetes’, Ashwagandharishta Supreme, an Ayurvedic medicine, claimed to treat ‘Nervous debility’, Shri Tulsi Drops, an Ayurvedic medicine, claimed to treat ‘fever’, Isotine Eye Drops, an Ayurvedic medicine, claimed to treat ‘Disorders of the Eye’.
During the raids carried out on May 29 and 30, DCA officials detected drugs falsely manufactured and sold under the guise of ‘food products/nutraceuticals’. DCA officials of Siddipet Zone have detected the product ‘Metnuron-OD Tablets’ circulating in the market. The product has been claimed to contain Calcium Carbonate 500mg, Alpha Lipoic Acid 200mg, Benfotiamine 150mg, Inositol 100mg, Chromium Picolinate 200mcg, Pyridoxine HCl 3mg, Folic Acid 1.5mg, Vitamin D3 1000IU, Methylcobalamin 1500mcg. These tablets were falsely manufactured under a ‘food license (FSSAI license)’ and falsely claimed to be a food product/nutraceutical.
The tablets were found to be illegally manufactured at Medicant Nutrients, Plot No. 635, Phase-II, Ind. Area, Barhi-131101, Haryana and were being marketed by SiriMed (A Division of Sanus Biotech) Sanus Biotech Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad as a food product/nutraceutical. As per the label claim of the product, it is classified as a ‘drug’ according to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. The product ‘Metnuron-OD Tablets’ must be manufactured only under a ‘drug license’ issued under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, adhering strictly to the ‘Good Manufacturing Practices’ (GMP) outlined in Schedule-M of the Drugs Rules. Additionally, it must meet the quality standards prescribed in the ‘Indian Pharmacopoeia’ (IP) as mandated.
Dr J. Raju, Assistant Director, Siddipet and S. Vinay Sushmi, Drugs Inspector, Siddipet were among the officers, who carried out the raid at a medical shop in Pragnapur. Samples were lifted for analysis during the raids.
Similar cases of ‘drugs’ being manufactured under a ‘food license’ were previously detected by the DCA in November 2023 and January 2024, which were declared as ‘spurious’ by the Drugs Control Laboratory, Hyderabad, as the content of the active ingredient was found to be ‘NIL’ (i.e., zero drug) in the said products. The drugs that are falsely manufactured and sold under a food license are not produced in accordance with ‘Good Manufacturing Practices’ (GMPs) and often fail to meet the quality standards prescribed in the Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP). Such products pose serious risks to patients’ health and may have severe implications. Manufacturing and selling ‘drugs’ without a valid ‘drug license’ is punishable under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with imprisonment for up to five years. (NSS)
