DCA seizes banned drugs Ofloxacin and Ornidazole suspension at Secunderabad Railway Station

Hyderabad: Officials of Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Telangana, have seized the banned drug combination ‘Ofloxacin and Ornidazole Suspension’ in Secunderabad.

In the raid, officials from the Secunderabad zone of the DCA seized 200 bottles of the banned drug Ofloxacin and Ornidazole Suspension (50 mg/125 mg) worth around Rs 50,000.

The drug, which was banned by the Indian government in 2018, was manufactured and sold illegally by Lok-Beta Pharmaceutical Pvt. Ltd., based in Thane, Maharashtra.

The seizure took place at the Jan Aushadhi Kendra on the premises of Secunderabad Railway Station.

Case details

Acting on credible information about sale of banned drugs, officials of Secunderabad zone of DCA conducted a raid at Jan Aushadhi Kendra. During the raid, they discovered and seized stocks of banned drugs Ofloxacin and Ornidazole Suspension (50 mg/125 mg).

The Indian government banned ofloxacin and ornidazole suspension on September 7, 2018, citing lack of therapeutic justification and potential health risks to humans. The ban prohibited the manufacture, sale and distribution of the drug combination for human use across the country.

Further investigations are ongoing and DCA officials said all offenders will be dealt with according to the law.

Highlighting the seriousness of the offence, VB Kamalasan Reddy, IPS, Director General, Telangana DCA, said, “Manufacture and sale of banned drugs is a serious offence. Surprise checks will be intensified to detect circulation of banned drugs in the market. Strict action will be taken against violators as per the law.”

The public is requested to report complaints regarding illegal activities related to drugs to the Drugs Control Administration. The toll-free number in Telangana is 1800-599-6969 and is available on all working days from 10:30 am to 5 pm.

The raid was carried out by a team of officers including B. Govind Singh, Narcotics Inspector, Secunderabad; G. Anil, Narcotics Inspector, Malakpet; P. Renuka, Narcotics Inspector, Musheerabad; and M. Surendranath, Narcotics Inspector, Begumpet.