Mumbai/Thane, May 29 (PTI) The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Friday said it had seized Ayurvedic and allopathy medicines worth Rs 73.24 lakh over objectionable and misleading advertisements,
including products manufactured by Divya Pharmacy and marketed under Baba Ramdev's Patanjali brand.
The FDA said simultaneous raids were conducted during the day in Mumbai, Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Amravati, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisions under Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act.
In Nagpur division, medicines manufactured by Divya Pharmacy, Haridwar, worth Rs 7,26,755 were seized, while in Nashik division stocks valued at Rs 7,10,945 were confiscated.
In Pune division, Divya Pharmacy medicines worth Rs 14,68,981 were seized, while additional stocks of two allopathy misbranded medicines worth Rs 21,83,428 were also confiscated during inspections.
Medicines manufactured by Divya Pharmacy worth Rs 1,85,600 were seized in Mumbai division for alleged violations of norms. In Konkan division stocks valued at Rs 18,58,000 were confiscated, the FDA said.
In Amravati division, medicines worth Rs 1,42,229 manufactured by Divya Pharmacy were seized. In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar division stocks worth Rs 48,718 were confiscated, it added in a release.
It said the action, under the directions of newly-appointed FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, was against misleading advertisements claiming guaranteed cures, miraculous results and prohibited claims of cure regarding serious ailments through Ayurvedic medicines.
The FDA said 12 Ayurvedi establishments across seven districts were raided and large quantities of objectionable and misbranded medicines were seized. The total value of seized stocks across the state stood at Rs 73,24,656, it added.
Mundhe said, after assuming charge as FDA chief on May 25, he had instructed officials to undertake a special campaign aimed at protecting public health.
He urged citizens not to trust misleading advertisements related to medicines and avoid self-medication, warning that it could lead to serious health complications.
"The administration will not spare any individual or establishment playing with public health," he said while warning of stricter and sustained action against misleading advertisements and illegal manufacture and sale of medicines.
"Direct legal and judicial action will hereafter be initiated against those violating the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and other related laws and rules. Safe food and medicines are the fundamental rights of every citizen and ensuring them is our primary responsibility," Mundhe said in a statement.
Stocks worth Rs 18,58,000 were seized in the Konkan division, followed the seizure of stock worth Rs 14.68 lakh in Pune, Rs 7.26 lakh in Nagpur, Rs 7.10 lakh in Nashik, Rs 1.85 lakh in Mumbai, and smaller amounts in Amravati and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar.
The Pune division seized a massive haul of misbranded allopathic drugs worth Rs 21,83,428, the release said.
The FDA said citizens would soon be provided with a dedicated mobile application and a toll-free number to facilitate complaints related to illegal sale, adulteration and misleading advertisements of medicines.
The administration assured that all complaints received from citizens would be verified confidentially and prompt legal action would be taken. PTI COR ND KRK BNM
