Second arrest made in Telangana counterfeit 'Levipil 500' case

Telangana: In a major breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown on counterfeit medicines, the Drugs Control Administration (DCA) of Telangana has made a second arrest in connection with the seizure of spurious ‘Levipil 500’ tablets (Levetiracetam Tablets 500 mg) - a widely used anti-epileptic drug falsely claimed to be manufactured by Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd.

R. Venu Gopal, a Managing Partner-cum-Competent Person of Venu Medical Agencies, was arrested and produced before the Hon’ble I Additional Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Karimnagar. The Hon’ble I Additional Judicial First Class Magistrate Court, Karimnagar, ordered judicial remand for the accused until 23rd July, 2025, following which the accused was sent to the District Prison, Karimnagar.

As previously reported by the Medical Dialogues team, the arrest follows raids conducted by DCA officials earlier this month. On July 4, 2025, a raid was conducted at Arvind Pharma Distributors, SBI Colony, Kavadiguda, Hyderabad. The next day, on 5 th July, 2025, officials raided Venu Medical Agencies, located in Sai Nagar, Doctors Street, Karimnagar, which led to the seizure of Spurious Drug 'Levipil 500' Tablets.

The Director General, Drugs Control Administration, Sri Shahnawaz Qasim, IPS, instructed the officers of the DCA to ensure zero tolerance towards dealers, medical shops, and pharmacies found involved in the distribution or sale of spurious or counterfeit drugs. Stringent legal action shall mandatorily be initiated against all such offenders, ensuring that they are brought to justice as per law.

The Department urges the public and all stakeholders to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspected medicines to the nearest Drugs Control office.