In a major operation, the Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Administration unearthed major fraud where adulterated nutraceuticals were mixed with aphrodisiac allopathic ingredients and exported to African nations. A factory producing fake allopathic medicines without legitimate licenses was also busted.

Key Highlights:Raids on Fake and Adulterated Medicines:

• A seizure of medicines and fake ones worth 32 lakh was recorded.

• Offices of M/s. Joinhub Pharma LLP at Ahmedabad and its warehouse at Kunj Estate, Changodar, were raided.

• Products like Wholeshield Refire Capsules and Demex (Vitamin-D3) were found adulterated with Sildenafil Citrate, the same ingredient used for aphrodisiac allopathic purposes, and intended for export.

Illegal Manufacturing and Licensing Violations:

• M/s. Aeron Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd. manufactured under the cover of a nutraceutical license, illegally working in the production of Sildenafil Citrate.

• Another illegal unit at Bagdol village, Kheda district, was traced out for producing perfumed nutraceuticals under the title of M/s. Aeron Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.

Legal Action:

• The prosecutors of M/s. Aeron Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.-directors Kashyap Paresh Patel and Dhaval Harji Savaliya, among others, would face prosecution under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.

• Drugs recovered during the raids have been sent for sample inspection.

Products Seized and Their Value:

• Drugs worth ₹11 lakh were seized at Joinhub Pharma LLP's warehouse.

• Drugs valued at another ₹21 lakh were taken away from M/s. Aeron Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.

Key Players Involved:

• Joinhub Pharma LLP: Partners Ahmed Abbas Balospura, Abbas Ali Balospura, and Sanket Shah questioned.

• Aeron Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.: Directors face legal action for adulteration of medicines and export.

This operation laid bare serious lapses in compliance with regulating parameters and resulted in the need for tight oversight to ensure the safety of medicinal products on the market.