The Drugs Control Administration (DCA) is investigating the source of raw and packaging materials used by Balram Chauhan, a quack from Basoli village in Una district, to manufacture counterfeit drugs. Chauhan was arrested by Una police after they discovered a stash of fake drugs, including 10 allopathic drugs and pediatric syrups, at his rented property on January 12.
Deputy Drugs Controller Manish Kapoor stated that they are probing the origin of the active pharmaceutical ingredient and excipients used in the seized drugs. They are also trying to determine where Chauhan obtained the packaging material. Officials from a multinational company and a pharmaceutical company in the Una district are assisting in the investigation to determine whether the seized drugs were their products or unlicensed drugs produced by Chauhan.
During the raid, officials seized labels of drugs and medicines manufactured under their name and two machines used for blister packing tablets and making syrup.
Traders of raw materials are registered with the DCA. The fact that Chauhan was able to secure narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances-based material for manufacturing nitrazepam, a controlled substance, raises questions about the authorities as it can’t be sold to unauthorized individuals.
A DCA team also raided Chauhan’s premises in Basoli village and its surroundings following the police action. Una Additional SP Sanjeev Bhatia said the case is under investigation, and Chauhan has yet to disclose information about the origin of the raw and packaging materials.
Chauhan was arrested from Punjab on Tuesday night and is in police custody. His wife, who ran a school below his manufacturing premises, was also arrested after the raid on January 12.
The arrests followed a sting operation by a television channel where Chauhan confessed to manufacturing counterfeit drugs for various ailments, including blood pressure and diabetes, under the label of licensed companies.
