The Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) of Gujarat has revoked the drug license of a wholesaler based in Ahmedabad due to the distribution of Codeine-based cough syrups (CBCS) to an unauthorized vendor in Mizoram.
This incident is linked to a raid conducted on August 7 by the Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Ahmedabad City Police at the General Post Office (GPO). During this operation, authorities confiscated 5,050 bottles of Rx Triprolidine Hydrochloride and Codeine Phosphate Syrup, marketed under the name “Cof-Trip,” with an estimated value of Rs 54.91 lakh. These products were being shipped to various vendors across multiple states via postal services. One particular retailer located in Aizwal, Mizoram, was reportedly operating without a valid license from the local regulatory body.
An FIR was lodged at the DCB police station on August 10, following a complaint from PSI JB Desai, representing the State. Hiren Kantilal Patel and Parshva Vora, the partners of Prama Healthcare, were charged under relevant provisions of the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. They were arrested, and the SOG secured a four-day remand for both individuals until August 14, after which they have been held in judicial custody.
On Wednesday, the SOG issued a statement indicating that their investigation led to the filing of a report with the Gujarat FDCA, resulting in the cancellation of the drug licenses issued to Prama Healthcare, situated in Gujarat Estate, Sarkhej, Ahmedabad.
The CBCS was part of a shipment comprising 34 parcels containing a total of 5,050 bottles of 100 ml syrup intended for seven different companies, including five in Mizoram, and one each in Uttar Pradesh and Assam. PSI JB Desai of the SOG informed The Indian Express that while the entire shipment directed to the seven retailers across three states has been seized for further investigation, they are still awaiting updates from Uttar Pradesh and Assam regarding the status of the firms in those regions.
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