ArdorComm Media News Network
December 12, 2025
Maharashtra has taken strong action against the sale of poor-quality drugs, cancelling the licences of 176 retail pharmacies and 39 wholesalers over the past year, State Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Minister Narhari Zirwal informed the Assembly on December 10, 2025.
Responding in writing to a question raised by BJP MLA Amit Satam and others, Zirwal stated that the FDA had launched a special crackdown, during which samples of cough syrups and other medicines were collected and sent for testing. Inspections were carried out at 136 retail outlets and 93 wholesalers, with show-cause notices issued before the licence cancellations.
Zirwal revealed that fake cough syrups were detected during an FDA drive in October 2024. Doctors and pharmacists were instructed not to prescribe or dispense medicines containing propranolol. Of the 36 samples tested across Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Aurangabad and Nagpur, 34 failed quality checks, including drugs used for hypertension, diabetes, tuberculosis, heart ailments and blood purification.
Six samples of a particular paediatric cough syrup brand were also flagged for poor quality. The Minister said some medicines had altered or mixed components and were sold under new names, with fake or substandard batches even reaching government hospitals through unauthorised suppliers.
A shortage of personnel contributed to weaker oversight, as 176 drug inspector posts remain vacant. Maharashtra currently has testing labs in Mumbai, Nagpur and Pune. Zirwal added that 109 inspector positions will be filled through the Maharashtra Public Service Commission, and efforts are underway to upgrade laboratories in Nashik and Pune.
Source: PTI
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