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Health Minister Directs Strict Measures on counterfeit drug makers

Thursday, 21 August 2025, 18:07 IST
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  • Over 16,000 inspections conducted in 2025; nearly 2,800 violations booked.
  • Pharma companies, distributors, and retailers warned against spurious drugs & illegal sales.
  • Upgraded drug testing labs and new inspector positions to strengthen enforcement.
Telangana government is further clamping down on the drug industry as Health Minister Damodar Rajanarsimha instructed the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) to take stronger action against spurious, banned, and substandard drugs.
 
In an August 30 review meeting with top officials such as the Drugs Controller and Deputy Drugs Controller, Rajanarsimha reiterated that violators will be arrested and booked under the PD Act. He threatened to permanently close down companies that do not adhere to norms.
 
As per government statistics, the DCA conducted 25,939 inspections during FY 2024-25, resulting in enforcement action against 4,142 institutions. During January to July 2025 alone, 16,481 inspections were held with 2,827 defaulters detected.
 
 
Drug quality checking has also been stepped up. During the latter half of FY 2024-25, 7,200 samples were analyzed with 186 detected sub-standard and almost 700 legal cases initiated against defaulting parties.
 
The Minister emphasized the role of the pharma industry in guaranteeing patient safety and condemned firms, distributors, and retailers for spurious drug sales, false advertisements, and the sale of antibiotics without prescription. He also cautioned companies against presenting medicine as foodstuffs or as supplements and that stringent action would be taken.
 
In order to improve regulatory capabilities, Rajanarsimha directed the officials to expedite drug testing laboratory improvements and also declared the establishment of new drug inspector posts, enhancing regulation further.
 
"The government will be strict on having quality medicines and safe food for the people," Rajanarsimha said, indicating a more robust compliance framework and stricter accountability along the pharma supply chain.