Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has uncovered an alleged inter-state counterfeit medicine manufacturing and distribution network following coordinated raids in Meerut, Baghpat and Udham Singh Nagar in Uttarakhand. The operation led to the seizure of manufacturing equipment, around 600,000 soft gel capsules, and the registration of an FIR against four accused.
According to the FSDA, the action was initiated after a confidential intelligence input received on July 24. A joint enforcement team led by the Assistant Commissioner (Drugs), Meerut Division, along with Drug Inspectors from Meerut and Agra and Food Safety officials, conducted a raid at a premises in Khardauni Sheikhpur village under Incholi police station in Meerut district.
During the search, officials recovered a blister packing machine, an air compressor and other equipment allegedly used for packaging counterfeit pharmaceutical products.
The investigation revealed an alleged nexus involving R.S. Global Pharma, based in Rudrapur, Udham Singh Nagar (Uttarakhand), and individuals identified as Vikas Chauhan and his associate Rajendra Singh alias Arun Kunda. Officials alleged that the group was illegally packaging 10 mg Vitamin E soft gel capsules, meant to be sold as food supplements, with labels resembling the well-known Evion 400 mg Soft Gel Capsule brand, thereby passing them off as therapeutic medicines.
As the investigation progressed, Drug Inspectors carried out an inspection of R.S. Global Pharma in Rudrapur on July 25. This was followed by a joint raid on Prescott Pharma Gel Private Limited at Hajipur Viran in Khekra tehsil of Baghpat district.
Investigators found that Prescott Pharma Gel possessed only an FSSAI licence authorising the manufacture of food health supplements and nutraceutical products, including 10 mg Vitamin E capsules intended for nutritional and prophylactic use. However, officials alleged that the company had illegally supplied around 600,000 unpackaged soft gel capsules in bulk to R.S. Global Pharma.
According to the FSDA, these capsules were subsequently processed, repackaged and labelled as Evion 400 mg, a therapeutic drug, before being distributed in the market. Authorities allege that the operation misused an FSSAI licence to manufacture and market counterfeit medicines through an organised inter-state network.
Based on the findings, the department has submitted a complaint seeking registration of an FIR at Incholi Police Station, Meerut, against four accused:
- Vikas Chauhan, alleged kingpin and illegal manufacturer.
- Rajendra Singh alias Arun Kunda, alleged associate.
- Rohit Kumar, proprietor of R.S. Global Pharma, Rudrapur.
- Amrit Patel, Director and responsible person of Prescott Pharma Gel Private Limited, Baghpat.
The Food Safety and Drug Administration said the crackdown is part of its ongoing campaign to ensure the availability of safe and quality medicines while taking stringent action against the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit and spurious pharmaceutical products. The investigation is continuing to identify other individuals and entities linked to the alleged racket.
