The Drug Control department has launched a crackdown across the Capital, collecting over 160 samples of cancer drugs as part of a special enforcement drive. The samples have been sent for testing to check for possible spurious, counterfeit, or substandard products.
The suo motu action comes after the Delhi Police Crime Branch, earlier this month, busted a well-organised racket that allegedly sold spurious, unauthorised, and unregistered cancer drugs to unsuspecting patients.
Sources in the department said the raids covered major drug distribution hubs close to cancer centres in South Delhi, including AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, Lok Nayak Hospital adjoining the Central Delhi zone; Darya Ganj and Bhagirath Place near Rajiv Gandhi Hospital in Rohini; and Laxmi Nagar in East Delhi.
Out of the 40 firms where the department conducted raids, violations were found in 15 shops. “Sale and purchase records of these 15 firms revealed discrepancies in billing; some could not provide records. The department has initiated action for contraventions of various provisions under the Drugs Rules 1945,” said an official from the Drug Control department.
This is the second such major drive after one-and-a-half years. Before this, the department had been focusing on fast-moving drugs.
“This was a special drive conducted to check cancer drugs that are moving in the market. In case some samples are found to be spurious, counterfeit, or grossly substandard, the department intends to take stern legal action against the offenders, including prosecution in the court of law,” said an official.
Sources said that out of the total samples collected, over 70% are cancer drugs.
Some of the samples include:
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-Imatinib Tablets (Veenat 400), which are used alone or together with other medicines to treat different types of cancer or bone marrow conditions.
-Imatinib 100 mg, which kills or stops the growth of cancer cells.
-Capegard 500, used in the treatment of cancer of the breast, colon, and rectum. -Armotraz tablet, which is used to treat breast cancer in women who have gone through menopause.
-Hydroxyurea Capsules IP 500 mg (Leukocel 500) to treat cancer of the white blood cells called chronic myeloid leukemia (CML).
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-Cycloxan tablet, which is used to treat cancer and nephrotic syndrome (kidney disease).
“The reports will likely come in the next three to four weeks. Some samples have been sent to labs outside Delhi as well,” the official added.
Another official said Delhi is a transit point for these spurious drugs. “Bhagirath Place is one of the transit points for such spurious drugs, which then go to different states — including Agra in Uttar Pradesh, Patna in Bihar, and cities in Jharkhand — where there are high incidents of spurious drugs. In Delhi, retailers are more cautious,” said the official.
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