The Drug Control Administration (DCA) has initiated a crackdown to seize drugs and medical accessories claiming to be magic cures. Newspaper ads and handbills claiming cure for chronic and incurable diseases like AIDS, asthma, diabetes, hypertension, acidity and enhancement of vitality and virility in men have forced the DCA officials to get into action and seize several 'spurious cures' in the city.

Among the proliferation of such magic remedies was a 'power glass' from which a person who wants to get rid of gas, acidity, and even pimples, drinks water. Asra Pharma Laboratories Pvt. Ltd, a company based in Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, manufactures the glass priced at Rs 195. Several such glasses were seized, according to M Venkat Reddy, Deputy Director, DCA.

Ayurvedic formulations such as Ashokrishta BR, a syrup for menstrual disorders, and Kanakasava, a syrup for asthma, both manufactured by a Rajasthan-based company, Vaze Cough Pills, had been seized.

Titanic K2 that claims to enhance virility and vitality in men, manufactured by Sun Laboratories Ltd, was another drug confiscated. The seizure list also includes Cardosab tablets for hypertension, manufactured by Nagarjuna Herbal Concentrates Ltd, Heartex capsules for smallpox and chicken pox, manufactured by Hyderabad-based Ahmed & Co, and Logen Excel capsules for diabetes, manufactured by Pankajakasturi Herbals India Ltd. The DCA officials are investigating to know whether the manufacturers' names and seals are genuine or fake.

According to the Drugs and Magic Remedies Objectionable Act 1954, as amended from time to time, no one can advertise or market cures for 56 ailments and diseases, including AIDS, diabetes, asthma, small-pox and chicken-pox. Manufacturers, wholesalers and retailers can be prosecuted depending on the case. If a wholesaler or a retailer has a bill for a banned product, then he is not prosecuted, but taken to court as a witness. But if he advertises such products, then he is liable for punishment.

Acting on tip-offs from various sources about the availability of such products, the DCA launched a drive to seize spurious cures in the city.

It may be recalled that the DCA officials had seized large stocks, worth more than Rs 1 crore, of a drug, sildenafil citrate, branded as Viagra tablets from the premises of a pharmaceutical manufacturing company. Spurious Ayurvedic capsules, Ozomen and Ozomen Forte, manufactured by a company in Vijayawada, Fizikem Laboratories, were also seized in the statewide raids.