The AP Drugs Control Administration has raided some leading stockists in Kakinada, Warangal and Hyderabad for holding stocks of drugs meant for use in government hospitals. DCA Joint Director M Venkata Reddy said drugs meant for use in government hospitals had also been seized from a private party in East Godavari district.

The Drugs officials have also detected four drugs of 'not of standard quality' in different parts of the state. Thirteen drugs were seized from Thokada in East Godavari district from a stockist, D Venkataramana Sharma. The seizures include surgical spirit and iodine solution.

As part of the ongoing raids initiated by DCA Additional Director-General P Ananthasayanam Reddy throughout the state, four drugs were detected as 'not of standard quality' and one manufacturer was found to be producing drugs without a valid licence. These drugs include Nutriviron syrup manufactured by Sree Rama Pharma Pvt Ltd. The medical bearing batch number NS-2001 was found to have only 66 % of the active ingredient. A pain-killer, Stuff tablets bearing batch number STO 502, manufactured by United Laboratories, Secunderabad, was found to have only 70 % of two active ingredients and 85 % of the third ingredient.

Brotex expectorant, a cough syrup bearing batch number 010, manufactured by Cali Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Hyderabad, was found to have less than 50 % of the active ingredients. Deworal powder for veterinary use was found to have only 61% of active ingredients. It was manufactured by Nellore-based Poultry Remedies, a company that did not have a manufacturing licence.

Ananthasayanam Reddy has instructed manufacturers, stockists and drugs inspectors to ensure that these drugs are recalled. Prosecutions have been initiated against all violators. Five firms had been convicted for Violation of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act that were detected earlier by the DCA.