Maha FDA seizes drug stocks worth Rs 1.52 cr, detects 263 cases of misleading ads
Mumbai, October, 2016:
Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized drug stocks worth Rs. 1.52 crore based on 263 cases detected of misleading advertisements claiming to cure ailments like diabetes, obesity, sexual impotency, mental disorders, cancer and rheumatism.
Around 94 raids conducted over a period of six months under the guidance of Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Dr Harshdeep Kamble revealed that certain advertisements published in leading dailies like those of playwin, stay on power, 303 capsules, ashwtul capsules, long height extra strong, vigofort tablet, top slim capsules and fat go capsules have been detected in contravention to the provisions of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable advertisement) Act (DMR Act) 1954.
The main objective of DMR Act is to control the advertisement of drugs in certain cases and to prohibit the advertisement connected with remedies or drugs alleged to posses magic qualities and to provide for matters connected therewith.
As per the provisions of the DMR Act 1954, no person can take part in the publication of any advertisement referring to any such drug which suggests or leads to the use of such drugs or remedies for diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or cure or any disease mentioned in the schedule to the Act. There are 54 such diseases/disorders conditions mentioned under the act.
The state regulator had a few months ago also raided the premises of a Mumbai based firm and seized ayurvedic drugs worth Rs. 2.04 lakhs. These ayurvedic drugs were mixed with allopathic medicines in contravention to the provisions of the DMR Act.
The intelligence Branch of the Maharashtra FDA seized the stock of Leucwin Syrup, Leucwin Capsules, Kaya Cure Churna, Nari Amrut Syrup, Diab Hari Churna, Raj Pro Xtra Power, Mood on Forever Capsule based on a tip-off.
The DMR Act lists the diseases and disorders in respect of which advertising is banned under Section 3 of the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, 1954.
Under the DMR Act, the definition of "Magic Remedy" includes a talisman, mantra, kavacha and any other charm of any kind which is alleged to possess miraculous powers for or in the diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of any disease in human beings or animals or for affecting or influencing in any way the structure or any organic function of the body of human beings or animals.
Aggressive and rampant advertising of drugs in various media lead to self-medication in the general public which ultimately may cause adverse effects and affect the health of the common man. Pharmabiz