The Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) recently carried out a raid and seized drugs worth Rs.89 lakh from the godown of an unlicensed dealer of Redix Life Care for stocking medicines without a valid license. Following the raid, carried out in Sarkej, Ahmedabad, the officials have collected 12 samples of the drugs from the site and have sent them for testing and analysis to the food and drugs laboratory at Vadodara.

The drug authorities have already initiated legal action against the directors of the company Archana Rajesh Kejariwal and Rajesh Kejariwal for breach of section 18(c) of drugs and cosmetics (D&C) Act & Rules there under. During the preliminary investigation, the FDCA officials found the company violating the rule under the said section by stocking drugs without holding any valid licence at their godown at Sarkej.

Section 18(c) of the Act deals with provisions relating to operating without licences which includes requirements on stocking and storage conditions of the medicines as well.

The drug authorities found Redix to be indulging in wholesale business of drugs from the godown at Sarkej without holding any valid licence at the place. Dr H G Koshia, commissioner, FDCA Gujarat State informed that under the law, it is mandatory to obtain licence in form 20B and 21B to store and stock the drugs.

He confirmed, “We have already initiated action against the company for operating without licences which is a considered as a serious offence as this may lead to supply of sub standard drugs putting the patients at risk. Most importantly it must be understood that no stone will be left unturned by us to punish the perpetrators who indulge in such illegal activities, as patients' lives and health are of highest priority for us in the state.”

Dr Koshia further stated that this raid was initiated by the state drug authorities after following a tip received through their helpline that was launched recently in the state. After cross checking the details of the company in their database using the self licensing software, the FDCA officials found some discrepancies in the information filed by the company and acted upon the tip promptly.