The Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) of Gujarat conducted an extensive month-long enforcement drive in August against counterfeit medicines, substandard pharmaceutical products, and adulterated food items across the state. As part of this comprehensive operation, the administration revoked the sales licenses of 50 pharmaceutical companies with immediate effect. Furthermore, authorities ordered the complete closure of two drug manufacturing facilities after detecting severe operational irregularities. During parallel food safety raids in various districts, officials seized approximately 42,988 kilograms of suspicious food products valued at an estimated ₹93.47 lakh.
Strict Measures Against Drug Manufacturing and Sales Units
The progress of this statewide crackdown was thoroughly evaluated during a high-level review meeting chaired by Health Minister Praful Pansheriya at the State Secretariat. The Health Minister issued explicit directives to enforcement personnel, emphasizing a strict 'Zero Tolerance' policy against fake, substandard, and illegally traded pharmaceuticals and food products. Following risk-based inspections, the FDCA suspended the operation licenses of 8 pharmaceutical manufacturing companies and cancelled the manufacturing licenses for 11 specific drugs. Additionally, show-cause notices were served to the manufacturers of 20 drugs that failed laboratory testing due to inferior quality standards.
Action Against Blood Storage Centers and Illegal Narcotic Networks
To bolster healthcare safety standards, inspectors examined 42 blood storage centers operating across Gujarat. Following detailed scrutiny, orders were issued to close 3 centers for non-compliance, while 12 other facilities received formal notices highlighting operational deficiencies. In a major effort to dismantle illicit narcotic networks and spurious drug syndicates, the FDCA partnered with the Special Operation Group (SOG) to launch joint raids across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Mehsana districts. In Vaghodia, located within Vadodara district, team members seized a substantial stockpile of narcotic injections, including Tramadol, from a shop situated adjacent to a local medical store, subsequently initiating legal proceedings under the NDPS Act.
In another major investigation concerning counterfeit 'Nicardia Retard 10' tablets, search teams raided more than 30 premises. The probe uncovered an illicit supply network originating from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh and extending to Ahmedabad and Sanand. Authorities confiscated suspicious drugs valued at approximately ₹1.75 lakh and formally lodged a criminal complaint with the Ahmedabad Crime Branch. Throughout August, FDCA officials inspected 2,238 food business operators and submitted 2,591 food samples for detailed laboratory testing.
Restaurant Inspections and Food Safety Directives
Food hygiene inspections were also expanded to cover over 1,625 hotels, restaurants, and roadside eateries across Gujarat. Officials issued improvement notices to 306 establishments where minor sanitation deficiencies were observed. However, 38 establishments faced severe punitive action, including the cancellation of operating licenses, due to major safety violations. Health Minister Praful Pansheriya instructed regulatory officers to maintain rigorous and continuous surveillance over daily essential commodities, such as milk, ghee, edible oil, and spices. He mandated unannounced surprise inspections and strict enforcement under the provisions of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006.
