By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, December 23, 2015 : With officials seizing spurious and sub-standard drugs worth more than Rs 6 lakhs in the last one and half months, the apprehension about illegal drugs flooding has found some base. In fact, marketers of spurious and sub-standard drugs sourced from Himachal Pradesh and Rajasthan have spread their tentacles in six districts of the state.

The Directorate of Drugs Control Administration (DDCA) are still carrying on raids and seizures in different districts of Odisha on vendors of spurious and sub-standard medicines, officials said here.

“We have seized samples from several districts and recalled stocks. Stocks at supplier points have been seized and raids are continuing. Raids are continuing in different districts and prosecution has been launched against offenders,” said Arti Ahuja secretary Health and Family Welfare department.

The DDCA has during raids in Cuttack, Puri, Kendrapara, Jajpur and Baleswar seized spurious and sub-standard drugs worth Rs 6.41 lakh and has registered cases against five wholesalers and 25 retailers. It has seized 26 types of drugs and filed 25 cases against offenders, sources in the DDCA said. Test reports of some drugs have also arrived.

Out of 26 medicine samples seized test reports of ten samples have arrived. Out of the ten samples of which reports have arrived seven are of sub-standard and one is spurious. These are
LC-Mon for common cold, ReRab DSR for acidity and nausea, apart from Montul tablet and syrup which are of sub-standard quality, sources in the DDCA revealed.

“We are waiting for the test reports of 17 other samples seized. We have directed all drugs inspectors to seize the drugs and documents of these drugs wherever these drugs have been dispatched. Each and every drugs inspector has been issued with guidelines to take action before any untoward incident occurs,” said Hrushikesh Mohapatra, Drugs Controller.