The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has raided premises near Govandi, Mumbai for selling and purchasing of medicines with fake license. This action was recently carried out by P D Yasatwar, drug inspector at FDA HQ.

According to V V Dusane, drug inspector at FDA HQ who accompanied during the raid with P D Yasatwar, we have drawn five samples of various drugs for test and analysis and seized a huge stock of drugs worth Rs. 2.5 lakhs. Soon we will get the analysis report. “As soon as the investigation is complete, prosecution is going to file a complaint against accused in Sewree Court.”

Dusane informed, “Under Section 27(b)(ii) of D&C Act, without a valid licence as required under clause (c) of section 18, shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than one year but which may extend to three years and with fine which shall not be less than five thousand rupees: Provided that the Court may, for any adequate and special reasons to be recorded in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term of less than one year and of fine of less than five thousand rupees.”

He was doing this business of sale and purchase of medicines with fake license from August 15, 2013. He purchased medicines in the name of Univiz Pharma and used to sell the medicines in the name of Raj Pharma to all the hospitals and clinics of Govandi, Mankhurd and Chembur areas of Mumbai.

Dusane further informed that the owner of the premises has a fake and bogus drugs selling licenses and also printed fake vat licenses on the sales bills.

“He purchased stock of medicines from wholesalers viz: Neelam Pharma, Kurla, Parshwanath Pharma, Mumbai and RMC Laboratories, Andheri and showed them the bogus drug license and vat license. These wholesalers provided him the medicines without cross checking the license and vat number. The certificate he has prepared for selling and purchasing of drugs to hospitals and other clinics is also duplicate and with no record present anywhere we have not filed the FIR with Chembur Police.”

FDA has prosecuted owner and issued showcause notices to all the three wholesalers.