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The All India Chemists & Distributors Federation (AICDF) has lodged a formal complaint with top regulatory bodies, raising a serious alarm over a growing number of pharmaceutical companies in West Bengal selling unapproved and illegal drugs.
This development comes as the state's drug market continues to grapple with a recent history of high-profile cases involving counterfeit and substandard medicines. In a direct communication to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), AICDF chairman Narendra Jain has alleged that numerous marketing companies are distributing products without the necessary official consent, posing a direct threat to public health.
The AICDF's investigation has brought to light a disturbing trend where marketing companies are bypassing mandatory compliance. The federation’s inquiries into two specific companies, one located in Kolkata and another in Howrah, revealed a consistent pattern of evasion and non-cooperation. When asked to provide mandatory documents, like the ‘Valid Form V’, which is essential for official brand recognition, these companies allegedly delayed the issue for weeks, exhibiting a clear lack of concern while continuing their ‘vigorous promotion’ of brands.
AICDF alleges that one of the companies believes that a payment to a local association serves as a 'pass' to bypass regulatory mandates. This is a practice the AICDF is particularly concerned about, as it reflects a ‘corrupt nexus’ between some companies and associations. This company is also said to be leveraging the ‘close kinship’ of a senior officer with a state's health department, using this influence as an ‘amulet’ to engage in questionable business practices.
The other company, based in Howrah, has been found to have a strong presence in several districts. The AICDF found no trace of its brands on official regulatory portals, the primary source for authenticating pharmaceutical products. The federation's findings suggest these brands, which include common molecules, are being sold without bills and are often used by ‘unregistered Registered Medical Practitioners and Quack physicians’.
The Federation’s complaint comes at a time when the West Bengal drug market is already under scrutiny. Over the past year, a series of raids and government crackdowns have led to the seizure of fake medicines worth crores of rupees, and numerous drugs have been declared Not of Standard Quality’. These previous incidents, including a tragic case of death linked to expired saline, have heightened public anxiety and put pressure on authorities to act decisively. The AICDF’s current allegations underscore that despite ongoing efforts, the problem of unapproved and substandard drugs persists.
In his letters, Jain stressed that the lives of millions of people are more important than the livelihood of a few law-breaking people. He warned that these manufacturers/marketers, who are only running after business interests, are undermining the pharmaceutical trade's reputation for service and trust. He expressed concern that some marketing companies are challenging complainants by referring to a special rapport with unidentified administrative and regulatory officials, as if influence gives them permission for illegal activities.
The AICDF has urged the authorities to prosecute the offenders irrespective of their influence. The Federation has asked for the ‘disputed brand names’ to be declared as ‘banned’ to prevent future confusion. Jain concluded by reiterating the federation’s strong faith in the regulatory bodies to act with agility and impartiality to protect the public. He stated that the AICDF is continuing its investigation into other suspected companies and is compiling a detailed dossier of evidence to ensure accountability and transparency in the pharmaceutical sector.
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