Raid: Telangana DCA seizes overpriced anti-cancer medicine in Karimnagar

Written by Ruchika Sharma Published On 2024-07-12T16:22:15+05:30 | Updated On 12 July 2024 4:22 PM IST

Drugs Control Administration officials, Telangana has seized overpriced anti-cancer medicine 'Dacazee 500 Injection' (Dacarbazine Injection IP 500 mg), during the raids at a medical shop located in Karimnagar. The raids were carried out on 11th and 12th July, 2024. The MRP indicated was very high compared to the Ceiling Price fixed for the product by the Central Government.

Dacazee 500 Injection (Dacarbazine Injection IP 500 mg) is used to treat cancer of the lymph system (Hodgkin’s disease) and malignant melanoma (a type of skin cancer).

The product Dacarbazine Injection 500 mg sold under brand name ‘Dacazee 500 Injection’ is under price control as per Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 and the price of product shall be in accordance with the ‘Ceiling Price’ fixed by National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), Government of India.

The product ‘Dacazee 500 Injection’ (Dacarbazine Injection IP 500 mg) of Batch No: 323-294 whose Mfg. Dt is 04/2023 and Exp. Dt is 03/2026, which is manufactured by Zee Laboratories Ltd., Paonta Sahib, 173025, Himachal Pradesh, bears MRP as Rs. 1,250/- for one vial (injection), on the label of the product which is a violation of Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. The Ceiling price fixed by the Central Government including Wholesale Price Index (WPI) for the product “Dacarbazine Injection 500 mg” is Rs. 518.79/- for one injection (Ceiling Price). Hence Maximum Retail Price (MRP) i.e. including GST 12 % should not be more than Rs. 581/- for one injection (MRP=Ceiling Price+GST)

The firm overpriced the product. Firm charged excess of Rs. 668.95/- for one injection which is a violation of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013, which is more than double the Ceiling Price fixed by the Central Government.

Sri. M. Srinivasulu, Assistant Director, Karimnagar and Sri. P. Karthik Bharadwaj, Drugs Inspector, Karimnagar are among the officers who carried out the raid. Further investigation shall be carried out and action shall be taken as per the law against all the offenders. The prices of Essential Medicines shall be in accordance with the Ceiling Prices fixed by the Central Government. Overpricing of essential medicines is a violation under Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 and stringent action shall be taken as per the law against violators.

Read also: Chalk powder instead of medicines: Telangana drug controller issues alert against drugs by Meg Lifesciences

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Ruchika Sharma

Ruchika Sharma joined Medical Dialogue as an Correspondent for the Business Section in 2019. She covers all the updates in the Pharmaceutical field, Policy, Insurance, Business Healthcare, Medical News, Health News, Pharma News, Healthcare and Investment. She has completed her B.Com from Delhi University and then pursued postgraduation in M.Com. She can be contacted at editorial@medicaldialogues.in Contact no. 011-43720751