The Drugs Control Administration in Telangana has seized seven drugs marketed with false claims. The seizures take the number so far in 2024 to over 60 cases. This follows renewed demands for amending the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, urged by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) to deal with misleading advertisements in all drug categories.Key Highlights
Details of Recent Seizures
Medicines seized include:

• Neem Churnam (Ayurvedic), claimed to treat fever, manufactured by Arogya Rama Herbals, Shamirpet.

• Febral Fever Elixir (Homeopathic) and Fever Go Syrup (Ayurvedic), both claiming fever treatment.

• App-up Plus Syrup (Allopathic), falsely advertised for promoting growth and weight gain.

• Neem Churnam was sold in the Nagarkurnool shop; drugs and magic remedies Act were violated as the therapeutic claims made are not verified.

Action by DCA and Authorities:

• The authorities seized the drugs and filed cases against the producers and sellers by invoking the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1954.

• The Health Ministry has been instructed by the PMO to expedite the process of amending the act which has been pending since 2020.

Proposed Amendments in the Regulatory Act:

• The new act will address claims on more than 24 diseases, which are as follows:

• Skin whitening, height increase, sexual potency, and premature aging.

• This amendment will further expand the jurisdiction of the Act over Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy, and allopathic medicines.

Broader Context:

• Telangana's DCA with over 60 seizures in 2024 reflects that more stringent controls over misleading advertisements are required.

• The Drugs and Magic Remedies Act was enacted to prohibit false claims initially, but it has become outdated to deal with the changing ways of advertisement and digital media.

Therefore, it requires proper supervision since consumer protection from false advertisements remains of utmost importance. Upon implementation, the amendments would provide greater compliance and clarity among pharmaceutical companies.