23 October,2026 06:11 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The department also inspected 832 drug-sale licensees, issuing 382 notices. Following these inspections, 49 licences were suspended and 22 were cancelled. Representational Pic
The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cancelled 29 drug licences and suspended 71 others after conducting 937 inspections across the state between October 5 and 17, the department said in a press release on Friday.
The inspections covered drug manufacturers, blood centres and other regulated establishments, as well as licensed drug-sale premises.
The department also issued 450 notices during the two-week drive.
According to the FDA, its Drugs Section conducted 105 inspections at manufacturing units, blood centres and other establishments, issuing 68 notices. These inspections resulted in the suspension of 22 licences and cancellation of seven licences.
The department also inspected 832 drug-sale licensees, issuing 382 notices. Following these inspections, 49 licences were suspended and 22 were cancelled.
The inspections formed part of the department's enforcement efforts to check compliance with drug regulations and take action against establishments found violating the prescribed norms.
During the period, the FDA tested 279 samples of drugs and related products. Of these, 258 met the prescribed standards, while 21 failed to comply with the required quality norms.
The failed samples included 18 classified as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ), two that were misbranded and one identified as spurious. The department said products were recalled in five cases.
Laboratory-wise, 119 samples were tested in Mumbai, of which 10 failed to meet the prescribed standards. In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, seven of the 133 samples tested failed, while Nagpur reported four failed samples out of 27 tested.
Separately, FDA officials drew 149 samples during the two-week period. These comprised 115 allopathic drug samples, 14 Ayurvedic samples, 17 cosmetics samples and three homoeopathic samples.
The FDA reported five enforcement cases during the period, including four under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and one under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The total value of the goods seized in these cases was Rs 28,52,304.
In Jalna, officials seized allopathic medicines worth Rs 58,772 from Navjeevan Medical and General Stores in Siraswadi. The establishment was allegedly found continuing to stock medicines at unlicensed premises after surrendering its licences.
In Nagpur, the FDA seized stock worth Rs 22,03,744 from Phoenix Medicorp at Bharatmata Chowk in Jagannath Budhwari. The premises were allegedly being used to store medicines despite the surrender of the establishment's licences.
In Baramati, Pune district, officials seized goods worth Rs 4,05,678 from Vedas Herbals Mahila Gruh Udyog in Jalochi over the alleged unlicensed manufacture of soap.
In Vasai East, Palghar district, the department seized packing materials, raw materials and machinery worth Rs 1,83,918 from GB Cosmetics at Ruby Industrial Estate. The unit was allegedly involved in the unlicensed manufacture, packing and sale of nail polish.
In Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, an FIR was registered under the NDPS Act, 1985, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act against two people in connection with the alleged illegal purchase and sale of 34 tablets of Nitrazepam, sold under the brand name Nitrosun 10. Both accused were arrested. The seized tablets were valued at Rs 192.
The four cases registered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act involved goods worth Rs 28,52,112, while the NDPS-related case involved tablets valued at Rs 192.
The FDA has urged citizens to purchase medicines only from licensed chemists and insist on bills for their purchases. The department has also appealed to the public to report suspected unlicensed drug sales, substandard or spurious medicines and cosmetics, and the sale of psychotropic substances without a prescription.
Complaints can be submitted through the FDA's portal at complaints.mahafda.in or to the nearest FDA office.
The department has reiterated the importance of public cooperation in identifying violations and preventing the sale of medicines and other regulated products that do not meet prescribed standards.
