Telangana Drugs Control Administration officials seize overpriced antifungal medicine
Hyderabad: The Drugs Control Administration (DCA) of Telangana has cracked down on the overpricing of essential medicines. In a raid conducted on July 22 and 23 at a medical shop in Quthbullapur Village, Medchal-Malkajgiri District, Drugs Control Administration officials seized the antifungal medicine ‘ICONE-200 Capsules’ (Itraconazole Capsules 200 mg) for being sold at an overpriced.
According to the officials, the antifungal drug is under price control as per the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) has fixed the ceiling price for Itraconazole Capsules 200 mg at Rs. 22.12 per capsule. However, the seized ICONE-200 Capsules were being sold for Rs. 44.12 per capsule, a clear violation of the prescribed price.
The MRP of the product, manufactured by Mascot Health Series Pvt. Ltd. and marketed by JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd., is Rs. 441.24 for a strip of 10 capsules, including a 12% GST. This translates to an MRP of Rs. 24.77 per capsule, which is still significantly higher than the ceiling price. The firm is accused of overcharging customers by Rs. 193.50 for every pack of 10 capsules.
Drugs Inspectors E. Thirupathi, Quthbullapur, and I. Srikanth, Gajularamaram, led the raid under the supervision of Dr. M. Vijay Gopal, Assistant Director of Quthbullapur.
Further investigation will be carried out, and action will be taken against all offenders as per the law. The prices of essential medicines must be in accordance with the ceiling prices fixed by the Central Government. Overpricing of essential medicines is a violation of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, and stringent action will be taken against violators.
The public is urged to report any complaints regarding illegal drug activities to the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, through its toll-free number, 1800-599-6969, which is operational from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on working days.
