The Gujarat government has announced plans to implement a dedicated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) to block the entry of counterfeit medicines into the state. Health Minister Rushikesh Patel said Gujarat will become the first state in India to adopt a zero-tolerance stance against fake and spurious drugs. With over 5,000 pharma manufacturers and 55,000 licensed shops, Gujarat’s aggressive crackdown is set to send a strong message across the industry.

Key highlights

State to draft anti-counterfeit SOP

• Gujarat will prepare a standard operating procedure to identify and block fake drugs entering from outside the state.

• Health Minister Rushikesh Patel affirmed that Gujarat aims to be India’s first zero-tolerance state for counterfeit drugs.

Recent seizures and rising action

• In the last four years, fake drugs and cosmetic products worth ₹6 crore were seized in raids.

• A recent bust by the flying squad uncovered ₹20 lakh worth of duplicate medicines.

• Duplicates of leading pharma brands were among the seized products.

New infrastructure and surveillance efforts

• The government plans to set up three new drug quality testing laboratories.

• A special flying squad has been formed to act swiftly on tip-offs about counterfeit drugs.

• Officials say transporters and courier agencies are often unknowingly involved in illegal distribution.

Stakeholder input and collaborative SOP development

• The Department of Food and Drugs is currently brainstorming SOP strategies with stakeholder feedback.

• Measures will focus on licensing enforcement, monitoring suspicious shipments, and penal action against offenders.

• The SOP aims to regulate and monitor every link of the supply chain from incoming shipments to retail shelves.

Gujarat’s proactive move to formalize its anti-counterfeit strategy with a robust SOP reflects the state’s leadership in pharmaceutical regulation. With India’s pharma sector growing rapidly, the threat of spurious medicines remains a serious public health concern. If successful, Gujarat’s model may become the blueprint for other states to follow in ensuring medicine authenticity and consumer trust.