First Case Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 Targets Illegal Drug Manufacturing in Telangana
In a significant crackdown on counterfeit drug manufacturing, Telangana’s Pet Basheerabad Police Station has registered the first case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 against an illegal drug manufacturer. The offender, operating clandestinely in Medchal-Malkajgiri district, was found producing counterfeit versions of pharmaceutical giants like Abbott and Cadila Pharmaceuticals in an unlicensed facility in Doolapally.
Authorities, in a joint operation involving drug control officials and police, raided the illicit manufacturing unit, seizing counterfeit Eptoin tablets (phenytoin tablets IP 100 mg) from Abbott and Vasograin tablets (ergotamine, caffeine, paracetamol, and prochlorperazine tablets) from Cadila Pharmaceuticals. The seized stocks of spurious drugs, valued at Rs. 23 lakhs, included labels, packaging materials, and manufacturing equipment used for producing these counterfeit versions.
The fake Eptoin tablets were falsely labeled as manufactured by Abbott Healthcare Pvt. Ltd. in Himachal Pradesh, while the Vasograin tablets falsely claimed affiliation with Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd. in Jammu and Kashmir. The raid uncovered significant production equipment such as tablet compression machines, coating pans, and mixing vessels, along with raw materials essential for manufacturing pharmaceuticals.
Girneni Gopal Rao, identified as the key operator of the clandestine facility, hails from Madhura Nagar Colony in Bachupally. During interrogation, Rao disclosed sourcing fake labels and packaging materials from a contact in Delhi named Nihal. He admitted to manufacturing and supplying counterfeit versions of popular pharmaceutical products, including Acitrom tablets and BRO-ZEDEX syrup, to the market through illicit channels.
Officials from the Drug Control Administration (DCA) revealed that Rao had been running this illegal operation with assistance from skilled individuals for an extended period. The case underscores the severity of counterfeit drug manufacturing activities and highlights ongoing efforts to safeguard public health and uphold pharmaceutical integrity.