Rogue pharmacies get taste of own medicine

By Sanjana CS

Officers raid multiple medicals violating drug laws, regulations across city; seize medicines

Tn a crackdown on illegal drug trade in Bengaluru, the Central Crime Branch (CCB) Narcotics Squad and the Drug Control Officers, in a joint operation with the Drug Control Department, have swooped down on eight medical shops across the year, seizing a significant amount of illegally sold drugs.

Medicine misuse

During their raids, investigators observed the sale of medicines in an open place, a violation in itself, at Kritika Porwal’s pharmacy in Chick Bazar Road, Shivajinagar, on March 2, 2024. But the bigger concern was of the drugs being dispensed—Tramadol and Tapentadol—powerful pain relievers often misused for their euphoric effects.

“We have received numerous complaints from both the public and various police stations regarding the misuse of Tapentadol. Addicts are reportedly injecting themselves after obtaining the drug from medical shops. We have conducted more than 250 medical shop inspections. Based on a tip from the police station, it appears these drugs are being sold without a prescription. Officers from the police and Drug Control Department will investigate the sales records, and if they don’t match, it will be clear that these drugs are being sold illegally without proper prescriptions,” said Dr Umesh S, Drug Control Department. Noting the shifting of trends between switching from one drug to another, Dr Umesh S said, “Earlier it used to be Tramadol; now, Tapentadol is misused.”

City-wide drug busts

The officers confiscated 21 strips of Tapentadol 100 mg, totalling 210 tablets, along with a stockpile of insulin syringes at Aurangajez’s Medical Shop in Yelahanka. Meanwhile, Anitha Medicals in BTM Layout was found selling drugs like Zapit and Tytap tablets, both of which are not meant for unmonitored sale. Various tablets, such as Tapentadol tablets, Tendok 100 mg, and Termandal, were seized on August 16 from Abhinava Medicals, Katriguppe Road.

The Drug Control Department issued a press release highlighting the potential misuse of Tapentadol in August. A dedicated online portal was launched for distributors and retailers to report their sales in real-time on a daily basis. This system was developed to prevent the misuse of such medications by ensuring transparency and traceability in the supply chain. If the purchase and sales update doesn’t tally, it was considered a red flag.

However, September saw a flurry of raids. The Drug Control Officers seized 42 sheets of Tapentadol, 51 sheets of Atrapar-Tramadol, 12 sheets of Tramacet, and 21 sheets of Tramadol at Yaswa Pharma on Pipeline Road, JC Nagar on September 4. Additionally, 19 bottles of Tramadol insulin were also seized. It was reported that with such a large stock of controlled substances, the shop had been operating as a major hub for the illegal distribution of prescription painkillers in the area.

Police can’t seize drugs; we cannot make arrests. If we acted alone, there would be gaps. By collaborating, we’ve succeeded in many casesDr Umesh S, Drug Control Department

Moreover, acting on a tip-off, on October 22, the officers seized 3,210 Tramadol tablets, 20 Tapentadol tablets, 890 Alprazolam sleeping tablets, and 8 bottles of codeine cough syrup being sold without a prescription at Sri Datta Sai Shreyas Pharma and Medical Store, Nagavarapalya Main Road.

Search & seizure power
According to Section 22 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, inspectors are granted the authority to search, seize, and examine records related to the sale, manufacture, or distribution of drugs and cosmetics. Moreover, they can stop and search places or vehicles suspected of carrying such products.

When drugs or cosmetics are seized, inspectors must inform a Judicial Magistrate and seek guidance regarding custody, with the option to revoke the seizure if the issue is resolved. However, despite credible information about medical stores selling unauthorised drugs, inspectors are restricted from taking direct action, as they must follow specific legal procedures. “We’re working together because each of us has certain powers—the police can’t seize the drugs, and we can’t make arrests. If we acted alone, there would be gaps. But by collaborating, we’ve succeeded in many cases,” added Dr Umesh.