Spurious drugs worth Rs 6.60 crore was seized by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), East Zone, and the Drugs Control Directorate, West Bengal from a whole premises in Kolkata.

In a communiqué, the Union health ministry on Tuesday said, “In a decisive action against the illicit trade of spurious drugs, a joint investigation was conducted by the CDSCO, East Zone, and the Drugs Control Directorate, West Bengal, at a wholesale premises in Kolkata. The raid, carried out at M/s Care and Cure For You resulted in the seizure of a large quantity of anti-cancer, anti-diabetic, and other drugs suspected to be spurious.”

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The drugs, labelled as being manufactured in various countries including Ireland, Turkey, the USA, and Bangladesh, were found without any supporting documents to prove their legitimate importation into India. In the absence of documentation, these drugs are deemed to be spurious, it said.

The health ministry said the investigating team also discovered several empty packing materials, further raising concerns over the authenticity of the seized products.

“The total market value of the drugs seized is estimated at approximately Rs 6.60 crore. To ensure proper investigation, samples of the drugs have been sent for quality testing. The remaining seized quantity is being kept in safe custody by the CDSCO,” it said.

Informing that the investigation has led to the arrest of the accused, a woman identified as the proprietor of the wholesale firm, who was taken into custody by the Drugs Inspector of CDSCO, East Zone, the Health Ministry said the Court has granted judicial custody of the accused for 14 days and permitted further interrogation.

Further investigation into the matter is ongoing, it said.

The health ministry said it remains committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of the public.

“The seizure and ongoing investigation underscore the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards the circulation of counterfeit and substandard drugs in the market. The CDSCO and state authorities will continue to work in close coordination to combat the threat posed by spurious drugs and to safeguard the interests of consumers,” it added.

It may be mentioned that during the month of November, the Central Drugs Laboratories identified 41 drug samples to be not of standard quality (NSQ), while State Drugs Testing Laboratories found 70 drugs samples under the same category.