Karnataka drugs control department has seized imported drugs without maximum retail price (MRP) labels, worth Rs.1.05 crore from various drug depots in Bangalore that were marketed by multinational drug companies in violation of the Drug Price Control Order (DPCO) 1995.

The drugs were seized by a team headed by BR Jagashetty, assistant drugs controller, Bangalore Circle-3 with drug officers - KS Nagajyothi, BB Omkareswar and P Ramesh.

The drugs seized are hormones namely Life 5000 IU, Nugon 150 IU, Nugon 75 IU, Puregon 150IU and Puregon 75 IU imported by Chemech Labs, Chennai and stocked by Solvay Pharma, Bangalore.

An anti cancer drug, Gemcite 1 gm and Humairope (6 and 12 mg), a growth hormone drug imported by Eli Lilly, Haryana and marketed by Vardhaman Health Specialities Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore also violated DPCO 1995.

Another drug Gynae which is a human immunoglobin imported by United Biotech, New Delhi and marketed by Vardhaman Health Specialities Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore did have MRP label.

Lucrin Depot prescribed for oncology treatment was imported by Abbot India, Mumbai and sold by Abbot India, Bangalore was seized along with a paediatric respiratory formulation called Survanta.Novo Nordisk's product Human Mixtard also violated DPCO 1995.

The DPCO prescribed that the label of the container of the formulation and the minimum pack offered for sale should bear the MRP label at which price the drug should be sold. To prevent the sale of drugs without MRP on the label of the inner saleable pack of the drugs, the officers have seized and frozen the stocks of drugs, which were found violating the provisions of the DPCO 1995.

Dr. Suresh Kunhi Muhammed, drugs controller, government of Karnataka stated that there was a possibility that the dealers would sell the imported drugs without the MRP label. The consumers have been cautioned to only purchase drugs having MRP label and insist for sale bills. In case if drugs, found not having the MRP label, the consumers or patients could immediately bring it to the notice of the inspection team at the department of drugs control.

The drugs control department is expected to make surprise visits to medical shops this month to check registrations and licenses for trade, he said.