Spurious Drugs: In a decisive crackdown on the illicit trade of spurious drugs, a joint operation by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), East Zone, and the Drugs Control Directorate, West Bengal, led to the seizure of counterfeit medicines worth ₹6.60 crore.
The raid was conducted at M/s Care and Cure For You, a wholesale premises in Kolkata, where a significant quantity of anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and other drugs was confiscated. The seized drugs were labeled as being manufactured in Ireland, Turkey, the USA, and Bangladesh but lacked any supporting documents to validate their legitimate import into India.
Authorities also discovered empty packaging materials, further raising suspicions about the authenticity of the products. Samples of the drugs have been sent for quality testing, while the remaining stock has been secured under CDSCO’s custody.
Proprietor Arrested
The investigation resulted in the arrest of the firm’s proprietor, a woman who was taken into custody by the Drugs Inspector of CDSCO, East Zone. A local court has placed the accused in judicial custody for 14 days, permitting further interrogation.
Government’s Zero-Tolerance Policy
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare emphasized its commitment to public safety, reiterating its zero-tolerance stance on counterfeit and substandard medicines. “The government remains steadfast in its efforts to combat the threat of spurious drugs,” a spokesperson stated.
The CDSCO and state authorities have vowed to continue their collaborative efforts to eliminate counterfeit drugs from the market and protect consumer interests. Investigations into the case are ongoing.
