Pune: Maharashtra Chemists’ Association Raises Alarm Over Rising Incidents Of Spurious Drugs, Seeks Strong FDA Action
Pune: Maharashtra Chemists’ Association Raises Alarm Over Rising Incidents Of Spurious Drugs, Seeks Strong FDA Action
Pune, November 28, 2025: The Maharashtra State Chemists and Druggists Association (MSCDA) has expressed serious concern over the increasing availability of spurious (fake) medicines across the state and has urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take immediate corrective measures. The association communicated these concerns through a formal letter addressed to Rajesh Narvekar, Commissioner of FDA Maharashtra, on November 26, 2025.
In the letter, MSCDA noted that despite repeated correspondence and several discussions with previous FDA commissioners, the issue has not been addressed with the required seriousness. The FDA had earlier issued a circular (dated October 16, 2023), directing all district offices to create dedicated email IDs and report details of medicine stock purchased from outside the state. However, the association stated that the directive was not implemented effectively, leading to a continued—and increasing—flow of out-of-state medicine stock into Maharashtra. According to MSCDA, this situation has heightened the risk of spurious drugs entering the supply chain.
Citing a recent case, MSCDA informed that Glenmark Pharmaceuticals had filed a complaint regarding spurious batches of the drug Telma-AM, allegedly found at Shriram Pharma in Kalyan, Thane district. A copy of FDA’s communication on this matter was also attached to the letter.
The association highlighted that several wholesale drug distributors in multiple districts are purchasing medicines in large quantities from outside Maharashtra. It urged the administration to maintain strict vigilance over such activities. MSCDA also recommended that if any chemist is found involved in trading spurious drugs, they—and their close relatives—should be permanently barred from obtaining a drug sales licence.
Further, the association stressed that wholesalers suspected of stocking fake medicines should not be allowed to supply medicines to retailers, and necessary action must be taken without delay.
Reaffirming its commitment to public health, MSCDA stated that it is fully prepared to cooperate with the government and regulatory authorities to ensure that citizens receive safe and high-quality medicines.
The letter has also been forwarded to Public Health Minister Prakash Abitkar, Minister of Food and Drug Administration Narhari Zirwal, and Public Health Department Secretary Dr. Nipun Vinayak for appropriate action.
