FDA Maharashtra Busts Unlicensed Drug Manufacturing Hub in Vasai

The FDA in Maharashtra uncovered an illicit drug manufacturing operation at three locations in Vasai. Over Rs 1.41 crore worth of ayurvedic drugs and materials were seized. The company lacked proper licenses, and further investigations are ongoing.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Maharashtra exposed an illegal drug manufacturing scheme during raids at three locations in Vasai on Thursday. The scrutinized company, Pharma Products Pvt Limited, was found producing drugs without the necessary licenses, resulting in a seizure valued at approximately Rs 1.41 crore.

In a press briefing, the FDA of Maharashtra revealed that the operation involved M/s Gaharwar Pharma Products Pvt Ltd, which held a license to produce ayurvedic medicines in Haryana. However, the company switched to manufacturing drugs in Vasai without authorization, using a surrendered loan license from Haryana dated May 14, 2024.

The investigation showed that the drugs meant for manufacturing in Haryana were fraudulently marked as sold to Onkar Pharma in Jalandhar, Punjab, whereas Onkar Pharma operated out of Vasai. Additionally, drugs with the manufacturing designation of Gaharwar Pharma Pvt Ltd, Navghar Vasai, were dates-stamped January 2024, despite the local manufacturing license being revoked in 2022.

Earlier incidents in March 2024 and 2021 saw similar contraventions by Rushabh Medicine, a sister concern of Gaharwar Pharma, leading to severe legal actions and license cancellations. The current investigation is diligently progressing, and law enforcement promises suitable legal repercussions upon completion.

The crucial arrests were executed by Drugs Inspectors Yogendra Pol, Nitin Aher, and Kailash Khapekar, with extensive support from Assistant Commissioners and inspectors across Thane, Palghar, and Greater Mumbai. The initiative was orchestrated under the guidance of FDA Commissioner Abhimanyu Kale and Joint Commissioners from the FDA’s vigilance and regional divisions.