Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 14: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has busted an alleged racket involving the illegal purchase and sale of medical abortion kits in Nagpur and Solapur districts and registered cases against eight people, including individuals linked to the online marketplace IndiaMART.
The state drug regulator seized Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits and other medicines during separate operations conducted by its Nagpur and Solapur offices on August 12.
In Nagpur, the FDA and police jointly acted on information regarding the unauthorised storage and sale of medical abortion medicines. During a surprise inspection of Dr Sachin Marghade's Shree Sai Clinic in Vinoba Bhave Nagar, officials found a large quantity of medicines allegedly stored for unauthorised sale.
The FDA said labels and batch numbers had been deliberately removed or concealed from Prega End and Misopril kits used for medical abortion.
Police subsequently laid a trap and arrested two people allegedly involved in the supply chain. They were reportedly carrying a total of 50 MTP kits in their bags. Investigators are searching for the person who allegedly supplied the medicines.
Authorities also seized unauthorised medicines, including Alprazolam and Sildenafil, worth Rs 45,649 from the Nagpur clinic.
Police registered a case against Dr Sachin Marghade and three others at Yashodhara Nagar police station under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act).
In Solapur, the FDA and local police raided the residence of a person allegedly involved in selling abortion medicines to customers through the IndiaMART online platform.
Officials seized unauthorised MTP kits worth Rs 9,532. According to the FDA, the medicines had been sourced from outside Maharashtra and the investigation revealed the alleged involvement of the online portal in their sale.
Police registered a case against IndiaMART directors and three others at MIDC police station in Solapur. Further investigation is underway.
Separate action is also being taken under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act against those allegedly involved in the unauthorised storage and sale of medicines in both cases.
The FDA said the combined value of MTP kits, Alprazolam and Sildenafil seized during the Nagpur and Solapur operations was Rs 54,181.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe warned that purchasing MTP kits or other abortion medicines without a doctor's prescription, or using them without the supervision of a trained and authorised medical professional, could result in serious health complications.
The FDA said it was closely monitoring the illegal purchase and sale of such medicines and would take stringent action against individuals involved in such activities.