Fake Levipil 500 Tablets Posing as Sun Pharma Product Seized in Telangana
Hyderabad: In an alarming development highlighting the growing menace of counterfeit medicines, the Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Telangana, has seized a spurious version of the widely prescribed anti-epileptic drug Levipil 500 (Levetiracetam Tablets 500 mg), falsely claiming to be manufactured by Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, DCA officials conducted raids at multiple locations across the state, uncovering counterfeit stocks of the epilepsy drug circulating in the market. The fake medicines were detected at Durga Medical and General Stores in Sudharsan Reddy Nagar, Chintal, Quthbullapur Village and Mandal, Medchal–Malkajgiri district.
The seizure was made on January 12, 2026, when a special DCA team recovered counterfeit Levipil 500 tablets bearing Batch No. GTF0885A, with a manufacturing date of April 2024 and an expiry date of March 2026. The seized stock falsely mentioned Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd., Village Kokjhar, District Kamrup, Assam, as the manufacturer.
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Levipil 500 is a critical medicine used in the management of seizures in epilepsy patients, making the circulation of counterfeit versions a serious threat to patient safety. Health officials cautioned that spurious drugs not only fail to provide therapeutic benefit but may also lead to severe health complications and long-term harm.
In accordance with the Drug and Cosmetic Act, a drug shall be deemed to be spurious—
(a) if it is imported under a name which belongs to another drug; or
(b) if it is an imitation of, or a substitute for, another drug or resembles another drug in a manner likely to deceive or bears upon it or upon its label or container the name of another drug unless it is plainly and conspicuously marked so as to reveal its true character and its lack of identity with such other drug; or
(c) if the label or the container bears the name of an individual or company purporting to be the manufacturer of the drug, which individual or company is fictitious or does not exist; o(d) if it has been substituted wholly or in part by another drug or substance; or
(e) if it purports to be the product of a manufacturer of whom it is not truly a product
The Drugs Control Administration has initiated further investigation to trace the source and distribution network behind the counterfeit drug.
Authorities said, "Further investigation will be conducted, and appropriate action will be taken against all offenders involved."
Reaffirming its commitment to public health protection, the DCA said it is intensifying surveillance and enforcement to ensure the removal of counterfeit drugs from the market. The public has been urged to remain alert and report any suspicious drug-related activities.
In an alert to the public, DCA Telangana said,
"The public may report any complaints regarding illegal activities related to medicines, as well as any other suspected manufacturing activities concerning drugs, including narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, in residential, commercial, or industrial areas through the Drugs Control Administration, Telangana Toll-Free Number 1800-599-6969, operational from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm on all working days."
Counterfeit Version of ‘Levipil 500’ Tablets (Levetiracetam Tablets 500 mg), Batch No.: GTF0885A Seized by DCA
