**FDA Uncovers Shocking Supply of Fake Allopathy and Ayurvedic Medicines in Pune**
Amid nationwide concern over counterfeit medicines, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has uncovered a disturbing case in Pune involving the supply of fake allopathy and Ayurvedic medicines in the market.
In a shocking revelation, paracetamol was being sold under the label of azithromycin, a widely used antibiotic. The FDA’s inspection also revealed adulteration not only in antibiotics but in tablets used to control blood pressure and diabetes.
Between April and September, during raids conducted by the FDA, counterfeit medicines worth ₹61.67 lakh were seized from two manufacturers — an allopathy company based in Shikrapur and an Ayurvedic firm located in Thane. From the Shikrapur unit alone, fake azithromycin tablets and adulterated medicines for diabetes and hypertension worth ₹55.62 lakh were confiscated. In a separate operation, Ayurvedic medicines worth ₹6.05 lakh were also seized.
“In the Pune division, we regularly inspect 66 manufacturers and sellers. Action has been taken against two companies between April and September this year, and samples from 15 locations were tested,” said Girish Hukre, Joint Commissioner, FDA, Pune Division.
Officials confirmed that the Shikrapur-based company had supplied azithromycin tablets to certain municipal hospitals in Pune, raising serious concerns about patient safety.
Cases have been registered against both manufacturers, and further investigations are underway.
**Calls for Tighter Surveillance**
Medical experts and pharmacists have demanded that authorities strengthen surveillance mechanisms to prevent fake medicines from entering the city’s supply chain. Some drug dealers have questioned how many vendor licenses have been revoked for selling counterfeit products.
These revelations come at a time when several child deaths in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan have been linked to contaminated cough syrup. Following these incidents, the FDA has intensified inspections of cough syrups across the Pune division. Many local drug dealers have already ceased selling syrups from the suspected companies.
**Government Response**
Health Minister Prakash Abitkar assured the public that strict action will be taken against those involved in the manufacturing and supply of fake medicines. He announced, “A Drug Detection Machine will soon be deployed across the state to ensure the quality of medicines. Government hospital supplies must match the quality standards of private institutions.”
Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) has issued an advisory recommending that cough syrups should not be administered to children under two years of age due to the risk that the chemicals may not break down properly, potentially causing toxic effects. The advisory also cautioned against giving such syrups to children under five years old, as they are more vulnerable to adverse side effects.
The FDA continues to monitor the situation closely to safeguard public health and ensure the integrity of the medicine supply chain in Pune and beyond.
https://www.freepressjournal.in/pune/fake-medicine-racket-busted-in-pune-paracetamol-sold-as-azithromycin-6167-lakh-stock-seized