6 days ago
Gujarat Police Bust Interstate Counterfeit Nicardia Blood Pressure Drug Racket
Police found fake tablets that were made to look like Nicardia Retard 10, a medicine used for high blood pressure.
The fake tablets were discovered at medical stores in parts of Gujarat.
A pharmaceutical company alerted authorities after finding counterfeit products with its name and batch number.
Investigators said the medicines moved through agencies in Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Jaipur.
Police arrested three men who are accused of helping procure and distribute the fake medicine.
They said the tablets were sold as if they were genuine.
Fake medicine can be dangerous because patients may not receive the treatment they need.
Police are continuing to investigate the alleged manufacturers, suppliers and distributors.
Gujarat Police and the FDCA seized counterfeit Nicardia Retard 10 tablets from medical stores in Kheda and Kutch.
The investigation began after J B Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals reported fake medicine bearing Batch No. ACG25007 on August 19.
Police traced alleged supplies through agencies in Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Jaipur across Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.
Three men were arrested, including Ahmedabad resident Darshil Girish Thakarshi Sanghvi and Lucknow-linked suspects Devendra and Umang Abhay Purshottamdas Rastogi.
Police alleged the counterfeit tablets closely copied the genuine product and could seriously harm patients or cause death.
- Who
- Gujarat Police, the Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Administration, J B Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals, and three arrested men.
- What
- Authorities uncovered an alleged interstate network involved in procuring, manufacturing and distributing counterfeit Nicardia Retard 10.
- Where
- Counterfeit stocks were seized in Nadiad, Kheda, and Bhuj, Kutch; alleged supply links led to Ahmedabad, Lucknow and Jaipur.
- When
- The company complaint was filed on August 19; the arrests were made at about 9:45 p.m. on August 26 and announced on August 27.
- Why
- Police said the accused allegedly supplied counterfeit prescription medicine for financial gain.
Key facts
- Medicine
- Nicardia Retard 10, containing nifedipine
- Counterfeit batch
- ACG25007
- Seizure locations
- Kishan Medical Store in Nadiad and Navkar Medical Agency and Mahadev Medical Agency in Bhuj
- Alleged supply chain
- Parshva Medical Agency in Ahmedabad, Sena Medical Agency in Lucknow and AVR Medicose in Jaipur
- Arrests
- Three men: Darshil Girish Thakarshi Sanghvi, Devendra and Umang Abhay Purshottamdas Rastogi
- Investigation trigger
- J B Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals reported counterfeit products to the Gujarat Food and Drugs Control Administration on August 19
- Reported risk
- Police said the counterfeit medicine could seriously harm patients and potentially cause death
Quotes
Ahmedabad City Crime Branch
The Ahmedabad City Police Crime Branch investigating the counterfeit-drug network
“Such counterfeit medicines have the potential to cause serious harm to patients and may even result in death, particularly when supplied as genuine prescription medicines for the treatment of blood pressure-related conditions.”
indianexpress.com
“The accused persons allegedly operated as an organised network for the procurement, manufacture, and distribution of counterfeit medicines.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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