HYDERABAD, APRIL 03, 2024: Officials of Telangana Drugs Control Administration seized overpriced antifungal medicine, ‘ITRAHET-200 Capsules’ (Itraconazole Capsules BP 200 mg), manufactured by ‘Hetero Healthcare Ltd’, at Kagaznagar in Asifabad district.
In an official release here on Wednesday, DCA Director-General VB Kamalasan Reddy said that the officials seized ‘ITRAHET-200 Capsules’ (Itraconazole Capsules BP 200 mg) manufactured by ‘Hetero Healthcare Ltd.’ during the raids conducted on 2nd and 3rd April, 2024. The product Itraconazole Capsules 200 mg sold under brand name ‘ITRAHET-200 Capsules’ is under price control as per the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 and the price of the product shall be in accordance with the ‘Ceiling Price’ fixed by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Government of India.
The product ‘ITRAHET-200 Capsules’ bears MRP as Rs. 286/- for 7 capsules on the label of the product i.e. Rs. 40.85/- per one capsule which is a violation of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. The Ceiling price fixed by the Central Government including Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for the product “Itraconazole Capsules 200 mg” is Rs. 22.12 for one capsule (Ceiling Price). Hence Maximum Retail Price (MRP) i.e. including GST 12 % should not be more than Rs. 24.77 for one capsule (MRP=Ceiling Price+GST)
Hetero Healthcare Limited overpriced the product. Firm charged excess of Rs. 112.61 for 7 capsules which is a violation of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. M. Srinivasulu, Assistant Director, Karimnagar and T. Chandana, Drugs Inspector, Asifabad are among the officers who carried out the raid. Further investigation shall be carried out and action shall be taken as per the law against all the offenders.
The prices of Essential Medicines shall be in accordance with the Ceiling Prices fixed by the Central Government. Overpricing of essential medicines is a violation under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, and stringent action shall be taken as per the law against violators.
The public may report any complaints regarding illegal activities concerning medicines through the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana Toll-Free Number 1800-599-6969, which is operational from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm on all working days.
Photograph of Seizure of overpriced antifungal medicine ‘ITRAHET-200 Capsules’ (Itraconazole Capsules BP 200 mg), manufactured by ‘Hetero Healthcare Ltd.’
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