Maha FDA to take stern action against bodybuilders involved in misuse of prescription drugs
New Delhi, November 17, 2022:
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that stern action will be taken against bodybuilders involved in misuse of prescription drugs.
The FDA officials recently raided a gym in Mira Road, Thane and recovered mephentermine injection, testosterone injection, growth hormone injection and similar 71 drugs worth Rs 5.31 lakh stocked without obtaining permission from the administration.
The raid was conducted by VR Ravi, drugs inspector- headquarters, intelligence branch and EkunkumarChandekar, drugs inspector, Thane under the guidance of Abhimanyu Kale, Commissioner, Food and Drugs Administration, Maharashtra on November 10, 2022.
The gym owned by KanhaiyaKanojiya stored drugs without obtaining licence as per provisions laid down under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, said Joint Commissioner (Vigilance), Food and Drugs Administration, Maharashtra GB Byale.
“Many a times, it was observed that the body builders consume such drugs without advice of gym trainers, due to which several may have to sacrifice their life. Kanojiya used to visit several gyms as a trainer and the drugs found at his gym were meant for his own use as clarified by him in his statement, but the statement doesn’t seem to be digested by anyone, as the drugs worth Rs. 5.31 lakh could not be meant for self-utilisation. Two representative samples from the stock were drawn for the test and analysis and remaining stock was seized for the violation of Sec 18(c) of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. Further investigation in this matter is in process,” said Byale.
The drugs which are meant to cure specific diseases and which are to be taken on prescription of doctors are misused at the gym for immediate effect and for participation in the body building competitions. Such medicines are dangerous to healthy people and if taken may cause dangerous effects on their body. Such drugs should be taken only if required and suggested by doctors and not to be misused and taken such drugs without doctors’ prescription, he added.
As per powers conferred on the drugs inspector as per the provisions of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and endorsement of such powers by Supreme Court in petition no. 200/2020, the source of the above said drugs and its sale to various body builders will be investigated and appropriate legal action will be initiated against all those involved, stated joint commissioner of the state FDA.Pharmabiz