DCA continues drive against quacks and raids eight clinics across Telangana state

The officials also seized cardiac stimulant drugs in Hyderabad and raided an unlicensed medical shop in Adilabad

HYDERABAD, SEPTEMBER 28, 2024: Officials of the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, seized illegally stocked and sold cardiac stimulant drug Mephentermine Sulphate Injections, in Asifnagar and Karwan, Hyderabad. This drug was being sold illegally to gym-goers for abuse in bodybuilding.

In separate events, Drugs Control Administration, Telangana conducted raids on eight clinics operated by quacks, seizing illegally stocked drugs worth Rs. 2.06 lakhs intended for sale at various locations across the State, including: Majeedpur Village, Abdullapurmet Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, New Raipura, Hanumakonda Mandal, Hanumakonda District, Kotagalli, Nizamabad, Lakkora Village, Velpur Mandal, Nizamabad District, Dattappaguda Village, Mothkur Mandal, Yadadri Bhuvanagiri District, Banjara Colony, Hayath Nagar Mandal, Ranga Reddy District, Kurnavally Village, Thallada Mandal, Khammam District and Old Bowenpally Village, Balanagar Mandal, Medchal-Malkajgiri District

In a separate event, Drugs Control Administration, Telangana raided a medical shop located in Netaji Chowk, Adilabad, which was operating illegally without a drug license. During the raid, DCA seized stocks worth Rs. 40,000 from the premises.

The DCA officials seized Ferrigen-XT Tablets (Ferrous Ascorbate, Folic Acid & Zinc Tablets) in Bandimet, Secunderabad and Proferron XT Tablets (Ferrous Ascorbate, Folic Acid & Zinc Tablets) in Khammam, which were falsely manufactured and sold under the guise of ‘food products/nutraceuticals’.

DCA Director General VB Kamalasan Reddy said that on credible information, the DCA officials carried out raids on Friday and Saturday in Asifnagar and Karwan, Hyderabad. During the raids, officials detected stocks of a cardiac stimulant drug, ‘Mephentermine Sulphate Injection,’ illegally stocked and sold to gym-goers for abuse in bodybuilding at exorbitant prices. The said injections are being supplied for abuse by Atif Khan, resident of Asifnagar and Ajay Singh, resident of Karwan. During the raids, officers seized 210 vials of Mephentermine Injections, with a total worth of Rs. 65,000/-.

Mephentermine Injection is a cardiac stimulant primarily used to normalize decreased blood pressure (hypotension) that may arise from administering anesthesia in spinal procedures during surgery. It is employed to elevate blood pressure in cases of hypotensive (low blood pressure) states. This medication induces increased release of noradrenaline, thereby enhancing cardiac output. By augmenting the pumping capacity of the heart and constricting blood vessels, it rapidly raises blood pressure. It’s crucial to note that only a doctor should determine the appropriate dose and duration of this medicine for each individual.

However, Mephentermine Injection, with its cardiac stimulatory action, is being misused to enhance endurance in bodybuilders. Certain gyms are illegally selling Mephentermine Injection to gym-goers who misuse it to improve physical performance in competitive sports or bodybuilding. Abuse of Mephentermine Sulphate Injections can result in various adverse effects, including psychosis, cardiovascular disorders, and the development of tolerance and dependence over time. G. Prasad, Assistant Director, Ranga Reddy, T. Rajamouli, Assistant Director, Hyderabad, P. Santosh, Drugs Inspector, Mehdipatnam, K. Anvesh, Drugs Inspector, Shabad, V. Ajay, Drugs Inspector, Goshamahal are among the officers who carried out the raids.

The DCA officials continue their drive against quacks and unauthorised medical practitioners in the state and seized medicines worth Rs 2.06 lakhs from eight locations.Officials found ‘steroids’ viz. Dexamethasone etc. at clinics of a 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. V. Ravikumar, Drugs Inspector, Balapur, J. Kiran Kumar, Drugs Inspector, Hanumakonda, V. Srikanth, Drugs Inspector, Nizamabad Urban, R. Srilatha, Drugs Inspector, Nizamabad Rural, J. Ashwin Kumar, Drugs Inspector, Yadadri-Bhuvanagiri, L. Raju, Drugs Inspector, Hayathnagar, K. Devender Reddy, Drugs Inspector, Khammam Rural, E. Naresh Reddy, Drugs Inspector, Balanagar are among the officers who carried out the raids.

Officials raided a medical shop at Nethaji Chowk, Adilabad District which was operated by M Mallikarjun in the name of ‘Adarsh Medicals’ at the said premises illegally without a drug licence. During the raid, DCA officers detected unauthorized stocking of huge quantity of medicines for sale. 20 varieties of medicines including antibiotics, steroids, anti-ulcer drugs, analgesics, etc. are found stocked for sale at the premises. DCA officials seized the stock of a total worth Rs. 40,000 during the raid. A. Srilatha, Drugs Inspector, Adilabad carried out the raid under the supervision of N. Narsaiah, Assistant Director, Nizamabad.

DCA officials also detected rugs falsely manufactured and sold under the guise of ‘food products/nutraceuticals’. Drugs Control Administration officials in Bandimet, Secunderabad have detected the product Ferrigen-XT Tablets (Ferrous Ascorbate, Folic Acid & Zinc Tablets) circulating in the market. The product was found to be manufactured by Maxtra Laboratories, Rangarangaiah nagar, Chengi Cherla Village, Medchal-Malkajgiri District and marketed by Regen Biotics as a food product/nutraceutical.

Drugs Control Administration officials in Khammam have detected the product Proferron XT Tablets (Ferrous Ascorbate, Folic Acid & Zinc Tablets) circulating in the market. The product was found to be manufactured by Macsol Lifescience, Plot No: 2B, Block No. 815, At: Santej, Ta. Kalol, Dist. Gandhinagar, Gujarat, as a food product/nutraceutical.

The products 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. M. Surendranath, Drugs Inspector, Begumpet and Ch. Anil Kumar, Drugs Inspector, Khammam Urban are among the officers who carried out the raids.