Operation quack: More than 12 fake doctors held

Jaipur, 28 Nov: In a major crackdown on fraudsters duping public on pretext of medical remedies, the city police on Sunday arrested more than 12 people. Seven arrests were made in Transport Nagar police, while six others were nabbed from other parts of the city. Police have seized large amounts of herbs and other related material that these quacks had been selling to their customers.

Medicines' prices should not escalate, Supreme Court tells Centre

NEW DELHI, 17 NOV: Amid fears that drug prices may shoot owing to the proposed drug pricing policy, the Supreme Court today asked the Union government to ensure that rates do not "escalate" causing a burden on the common man. "Prices should not escalate. There are apprehensions that prices will escalate. In the name of the new policy the prices shall not escalate. Because we have much much more consumers in India than other parts of the world," the court observed.

2 illegal drug factories sealed, Rs 1.25 crore material seized

Ahmedabad, 18 Nov (PTI) Two drug factories, operating without a license, have been sealed and "spurious" drugs worth over Rs 1.25 crore have been seized during a raid of the Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) in Narol area here today. "Two illegal factories, under the name of Vimco Industries and Radhe Biotech in Narol, were raided today by our team while acting on a tip-off," FDCA Commissioner H G Khosia said.

FDA to serve notices on channels advertising 'wonder drugs'

Mumbai, 21 Nov: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to pull the plug on television channels that offer air time to promote medicines which guarantee to cure joint pain, impotence and weight reduction. "We see advertisements published in newspapers, pasted on trains and aired on television promoting various medicines. They are misleading and such advertisements are prohibited under the Drugs and Magic Remedies (objectionable advertisements) Act, 1954," explained Mahesh Zagade, FDA commissioner.

Ayurvedic Death: Medicines adulterated with steroids and heavy metals- Part 1

Mumbai, 16 Nov: Several so-called Ayurvedic medicines readily available are found to contain steroids and heavy metal, both harmful to the human body if taken in excess
Ayurvedic medicines given by the vaidyas – be it in the form of bhasma or churan-, which people swallow in with great faith, could contain steroid and toxic metals such as lead, mercury and arsenic. According to experts, such medicines sold under the 'Ayurvedic' preparations often contain steroids and metals, and if used beyond permissible limit could lead to nervousness, indigestion, chest pain, seizures and even coma.

FDA cracks down on 14 firms for misleading ads (16/11/11)

Mumbai, 16 Nov: In a major crackdown on misleading advertisements for aphrodisiacal drugs, the Maharashtra Food and Drugs Department has asked around 14 companies to correct their promotional campaigns. A senior Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officer, on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to the media. said officials from across the state seized stocks worth Rs 5 lakh of the five alleged aphrodisiacs.

Gifts for docs: HC asks pharma company to withdraw petition

KOCHI, 10 NOV: A pharmaceutical company that approached the Kerala High Court challenging a sales tax penalty imposed on a consignment of gifts for doctors during Diwali was directed to withdraw its petition by the court.
When the petition by New Delhi-based Mankind Pharma Ltd came up before Justice S Siri Jagan, the court asked the company to withdraw the petition as it supports the unhealthy practice of rewarding doctors for enforcing medicines on patients.