Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) executed 65 seizures during March 2025 against offenses as varied as deceptive drug promotional campaigns to fake and expired drugs sale. Such stern enforcement operation demonstrates the determination of the state to go hammer and tongs after drug law breaches and also protect the common people.

Key Highlights

Most of the Seizures were Tied to Misleading Advertisements

• 50 of the 65 cases involved false advertising of medicines purporting to cure serious diseases like diabetes, TB, blood pressure, sterility, and leprosy.

• Offenders are liable under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954 for a maximum of six months' imprisonment or fine.

Action Against Quacks and Unlicensed Dealers

• 7 cases were filed against quacks for storing and selling medicines without proper licenses.

• 2 pharmacies were reserved for conducting business without a valid drug license.

Seizure of Spurious and Expired Drugs

• 2 instances of spurious medicines and 3 instances of expired sale of drugs were reported.

• 1 fake drug racket involving imitation versions of 'Montek-LC' tablets purporting to be from Sun Pharma was busted.

Drugs Kept in Unsafe Manner

• Seizures included thermolabile drugs such as tetanus vaccine and oxytocin injections kept at room temperature—rendering them ineffective.

• In Mulugu, expired doctor samples were mixed with saleable drugs.

Quality Control and Testing Results

• Hyderabad drug testing laboratory marked 15 drugs as 'Not of Standard Quality' (NSQ), which included antibiotics, antiulcer, and antiparasitic drugs.

• Failures were because of low assay, poor dissolution, and improper descriptions.

Steroid Abuse by Unqualified Practitioners
Quack clinics were storing large stocks of steroids and antibiotics, and therefore, serious health hazards.Upcoming Action on Wholesale Violations
The DCA intends to move against wholesalers who sell medicines to unqualified or unlicensed individuals, an offense punishable under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.From fake drugs to improper storage, seizures have been the order of the day, and the Telangana DCA's March crackdown is a clear message against drug law offenders. The month-long enforcement campaign is a part of a larger initiative to safeguard consumers, regulate medicine quality, and check widespread abuse of steroids and antibiotics in the state.