Gujarat FDCA’s Codeine Cough Syrup Crackdown; 50 Licenses Revoked, 2 Units Shut Amid Scrutiny

By Mariyam F.

The Gujarat State Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) has launched hardcore action against the unauthorised storage, sale and misuse of codeine-containing medicines, following health minister Praful Pansheriya’s order.

After inspections concluded in Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Mehsana districts earlier this month, the drug inspectors found massive stocks of codeine-based medicines and discrepancies in purchase, sale and other records maintained by various drug dealerships, as per the state government’s official statement on Tuesday. 

The officials confiscated 37,762 bottles of Rexton-T Syrup containing codeine from Balaji Pharma in the Ahmedabad Rural area,  with each syrup bottle having an MRP of ₹220. The stock, valued approximately ₹83.08 lakh was restricted for sale or use and  samples were sent for laboratory analysis. 

Jai Ambe Distributors was another such facility where the officials found 57 bottles of R Tuss TD Syrup containing codeine worth ₹9,006. The stock  was restricted from further sale or use, while the firm’s purchase and sale records are being examined. 

At Health Point Pharma in Kalol, Gandhinagar, the regulator cancelled the firm’s drug sale licence after finding its response to an earlier show-cause notice unsatisfactory. 

The health inspectors in Gujarat have been on a continuous hunt of such illegal smuggling of healthcare drugs and have adopted a zero-tolerance policy against the ones found guilty. Show-cause notices were also issued to Formalin Lifesciences in Changodar, Rain Remedies in Santaj, Capital Pharma in Visnagar, HRDM Global Solutions in Ahmedabad and Jai Ambe Distributors in Ahmedabad. The process of issuing a notice to Krishna Pharma in Kathwara, Ahmedabad, is underway.

Surprise inspections and strict legal action will continue throughout the state under the rules of FSSAI-2006 as per Gujarat’s Health Minister Praful Pansheriya. He further added that providing pure and quality food to the general public is top priority of the government.

(Rh/MF/MSM)