FDA Raids Uncover Illegal Drug Manufacturing in Vasai, Seize Rs. 1.41 Crore Worth Items

The Maharashtra Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) conducted raids in Vasai, Mumbai, uncovering illegal drug manufacturing by Gaharwar Pharma Products Pvt. Ltd. The company, licensed to produce ayurvedic drugs in Haryana, was found operating without permissions in Vasai, despite surrendering its Haryana license on May 1, 2024. Drugs allegedly manufactured in Haryana were sold to Onkar Pharma in Jalandhar, Punjab, which was actually operating from Vasai.

The raids revealed drugs with manufacturing dates from January 2024 at a Vasai location, previously licensed to Rushabh Medicines until its license was canceled in 2022. Seized items, including ayurvedic drugs, raw materials, machinery, and packing materials, were valued at approximately Rs. 1.41 crore. Rushabh Medicine had faced similar raids in March 2024 and 2021 for the presence of allopathy drugs in ayurvedic medicines, leading to prosecution and license cancellation.

The operation was led by drugs inspectors Yogendra Pol, Nitin Aher, and Kailash Khapekar, with support from various assistant commissioners and drug inspectors from Thane, Palghar, and Greater Mumbai, as well as the Intelligence Bureau (IB) Mumbai. The raid was conducted under the instructions of FDA commissioner Abhimanyu Kale, joint commissioners Dr. Rahul Khade, Narendra Supe, and Vijay Jadhav.

Further investigations are ongoing, with legal actions pending completion. This operation highlights the FDA's dedication to maintaining safe and legitimate drug manufacturing practices.