On Wednesday, the Telangana Drugs Control Administration, the Commissioner's Task Force, Hyderabad, and the employees of the Market Police Station collaborated to seize illegally stocked and sold cardiac stimulant drug Termin Injections, also known as Mephentermine Sulphate Injection, from MD. Khasim in Tadbund, Secunderabad.
This substance was being sold to members of gyms for use in bodybuilding abuse.
On July 10, a joint operation and raid were carried out in Secunderabad by officials from the Hyderabad Zone Drugs Control Administration, Commissioner's Task Force officials from the Hyderabad North Zone, and Market Police, based on reliable information.
Mephentermine Sulphate Injection, a cardiac stimulant medication that is illegally stockpiled and marketed to users of gyms for abuse in bodybuilding, was discovered by officials during the operation. These particular injections are being provided by MD. Khasim for misuse.
A heart stimulant called mephentermine sulfate injection is mainly used to restore normal blood pressure (hypotension), which can occur when an anesthetic is given during spinal procedures.
When a person has low blood pressure or hypotension, it is used to raise blood pressure. Due to the increased noradrenaline release caused by this medicine, cardiac output is improved. Rapid elevation in blood pressure is achieved by increasing the heart's pumping capacity and constriction of blood vessels. Notably, the right dosage and length of use of this medication for each patient should only be decided by a physician.
However, bodybuilders are abusing mephentermine sulfate injections to increase their endurance due to its cardiac stimulatory effect. Some fitness centers are selling mephentermine injections to members who abuse them in an attempt to gain an advantage in bodybuilding or competitive sports.
Misuse of injections containing mephentermine sulfate can lead to a number of negative outcomes, such as cardiovascular problems, psychosis, and the progressive development of tolerance and dependence.
Officers found stocks of Termin injections (mephentermine sulfate injections) during the raid; these stocks were valued at Rs. 3,000.
The raid was conducted by officers of the Drugs Control Administration, specifically B. Govind Singh, the Drugs Inspector from Secunderabad, and G. Anil, the Drugs Inspector from Malakpet.
The Drugs and Cosmetics Act prohibits the illegal stocking and sale of drugs in gyms for abuse. Offenders risk a maximum five-year prison sentence.
In a different occurrence, "CANDIFACE-200 Capsules" (Itraconazole Capsules 200 mg), an expensive antifungal medication, were confiscated by the Telangana Drug Control Administration in Nagole Village, Uppal Mandal, Medchal-Malkajgiri District. The indicated MRP exceeded the Central Government's ceiling price by a substantial amount.
Under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, the product Itraconazole Capsules 200 mg, marketed under the brand name "CANDIFACE-200 Capsules," is subject to price control. The product's price will be determined by the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Government of India, and will be in line with the "Ceiling Price."
The product CANDIFACE-200 Capsules (Itraconazole Capsules 200 mg) with Batch No. CC-1250028 is priced at Rs. 275/-for ten capsules, or Rs. 27.50/-per capsule. It was manufactured on February 20, 2024, and it expires on July 20, 2026, by Healing Pharma India Pvt. Ltd., Plot No. 25-B, Dev Industrial Estate, Gorwa, Vadodara-16, Gujarat. The Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 is broken by this pricing. The 200 mg Itraconazole Capsules ceiling price, including the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), has been fixed by the Central Government at Rs. 22.12. For this reason, the Maximum Retail Price (MRP) for each pill, including 12% GST, should not be more than Rs. 24.77. The company charged more than Rs. 27.30 for ten capsules, in violation of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order of 2013.
The drugs inspectors from Uppal, Dr. B. Lakshmi Narayana, and Shameerpet, B Praveen, conducted the raid.
Law enforcement will conduct additional inquiries and prosecute all violators in accordance with the law.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Priyanka Pandey/MSM)
