In a major crackdown, the Food and Drug Administration (FSDA) busted four medicine companies in Lucknow's Aminabad Medicine Market on the charge of selling spurious Levipil 500 mg tablets. The operation resulted in seizure of suspected drugs, and action awaits laboratory test results.

Key Highlights:
Firms Raided:

• M/s Tumdate Pharmaceuticals

• M/s Durga Distributors

• M/s RR Pharma

• M/s MK Pharma

Seizures and Findings:

• 38 strips of Levipil 500 mg tablets and 10 strips of four other drugs were seized from M/s RR Pharma.

• Levipil 500 mg tablets were also seized from the other firms.

• One store owner from M/s MK Pharma fled the scene, and the store was sealed by FSDA officials.

Immediate Measures:

• All the samples have been dispatched for analysis.

• Sales of Levipil 500 mg tablets are banned in the market until test reports.

• Warnings have already been given out, and further departmental and legal responses will be initiated if the drugs are indeed proven to be counterfeit.

Earlier Research:
FSDA found that each of the four companies obtained its Levipil 500 mg material from M/s New Baba Pharma, which has had its license suspended after previous offenses.Quotes from Authorities:

• Brijesh Kumar, FSDA Assistant Commissioner: "The raids were carried out to act on complaints against the sale of spurious Levipil 500 mg tablets in the market. We have sealed the premises involved and prohibited the sale of the suspected drug until the laboratory report becomes available."

• Nilesh Kumar, Drug Inspector: "Levipil 500 mg is prescribed for seizures and epilepsy. Complaints of spurious versions led to the raids. Strict action will be initiated against the companies if this is proved to be so."

The FSDA is waiting for laboratory test results to verify the genuineness of the medicines seized. If found to be counterfeit, legal action and departmental action will be taken against the erring companies to protect public safety.