DCA officials seize spurious Montek-LC tablets, raid a quack’s clinic and seize misleading ayurvedic medicine

HYDERABAD, MARCH 19, 2025: Officials of Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, seized Spurious Drugs (Counterfeit Versions) ‘Montek-LC’ Tablets (Montelukast Sodium and Levocetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets), falsely claimed to be manufactured by Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd. During the raids conducted by DCA based on gathered intelligence, counterfeit versions of ‘Montek-LC’ Tablets were detected circulating in the market at Second Bazar, Secunderabad. The stocks were seized during the raids.

In another separate operation, the DCA officials conducted raids on clinics operated by quacks and seized illegally stocked drugs intended for sale at two separate locations, including; Pashamylaram Village, Patancheru Mandal, Sangareddy District and Bowrampet Village, Dundigal Gandimaisamma Mandal, Medchal-Malkajgiri District

Similarly, they seized ‘Nagakesaramulu Choornam,’ an Ayurvedic medicine, in Kanukunta Village, Ramachandrapuram Mandal, Sangareddy District, for making misleading advertisement that it treats ‘Sterility’.

DCA Director-General VB Kamalasan Reddy said based on intelligence gathered by Drugs Control Administration officials, raids were conducted at several dealers in Hyderabad, leading to the detection of Spurious Drugs (Counterfeit Versions) ‘Montek-LC’ Tablets (Montelukast Sodium and Levocetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets) circulating in the market. ‘Montek-LC’ Tablets are used in the management of signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis, chronic idiopathic urticaria and bronchial asthma.

During the raids, Drugs Inspectors detained the stocks and obtained a comparison statement for the suspected batches from the original manufacturer, Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd., with the original batches. The manufacturer also concluded that the batch of ‘Montek-LC’ Tablets (Montelukast Sodium and Levocetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets) detained by the Drugs Control Administration were “Spurious Drugs/Counterfeit Drugs”.

During the raid conducted on 18^th March, 2025 at Sri Nirmala Pharma, H.No: 8-3-60, Second Bazar, Secunderabad, seized a counterfeit version of ‘Montek-LC’ Tablets (Montelukast Sodium and Levocetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets), Batch No.: SIE1910A, Mfg. Date: 07/2023, Exp. Date: 12/2025, falsely claimed to be manufactured by Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd., Plot No.107-108, Namli Block, P.O Ranipool, East- Sikkim. D. Saritha, Assistant Director, Secunderabad, M. Surendranath, Drugs Inspector, Begumpet and P Renuka, Drugs Inspector, Musheerabad carried out the raids.

Raids conducted at quacks’ clinics:

Based on credible information, on 18^thMarch, officials from the Drugs Control Administration raided the premises of quacks who were claiming themselves as ‘Rural Medical Practitioners’ and practicing medicine without proper qualifications at their clinics. During the raids at the following premises, substantial quantities of medicines stocked for sale without a drug license were found.

DCA officials detected several ‘antibiotics’ viz., Ceftriaxone, Cefixime, Cefpodoxime, etc. at the clinics during the raids. Indiscriminate sale of antibiotics, by unqualified persons may have disastrous consequences on the health of public, including emergence of ‘Antimicrobial Resistance’. DCA officials seized the stocks, worth a total of Rs. 40,000 during the raids. M Varaprasad, Drugs Inspector, Pashamylaram and M. Hemalatha, Drugs Inspector, Gandimaisamma carried out the raids. DCA officers lifted the samples for analysis. Further investigation will be carried out, and action will be taken as per the law against all the offenders.

Seizure of drugs for misleading advertisements:

The DCA detected an Ayurvedic medicine ‘Nagakesaramulu Choornam,’ moving in the market with misleading claim on its labels that it treats ‘Sterility’ which is a contravention of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954. Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 prohibits advertisement of certain drugs for treatment of certain diseases and disorders. No person shall take part in publication of advertisement regarding the diseases/disorders indicated under Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954.

The said ayurvedic medicine was detected by DCA officials at a medical store in Kanukunta Village, Ramachandrapuram Mandal, Sangareddy District. Stocks were seized during the raid. M. Chandrasekhar, Drugs Inspector, Patancheru carried out the raid. Further investigation shall be carried out and action shall be taken as per the law against all the offenders.