VIJAYAWADA: Commissioner Task Force, in collaboration with the Roorkee police, have traced the roots of the fake drug racket that was busted a few days ago in Vijayawada and Guntur.
On November 1, CTF officials conducted surprise raids at five medical shops in One Town after receiving a complaint from Janssen Pharmaceuticals that a few miscreants are manufacturing and selling ‘Ultracet’ tablets by imitating their brand. CTF police seized five boxes of duplicate painkiller tablets from one shop and took four persons into custody, imposing a case under section 420 of IPC (cheating), Copyright Act and Trademark Act.
CTF police sent samples of the tablets to a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) for testing the components used in the preparation of tablets. On November 16, CTF police reportedly received reports from the FSL which stated that the consumption of these tablets is harmful to health and can often lead to paralysis. “We cannot reveal the components mentioned in the FSL report. Leave about pain, only one dose of this tablet can land one in hospital,” said a senior police official.
During the investigation, CTF sent a special team to Roorkee where they observed that a few pharmaceutical employee-turned-mediators are replicating ‘Ultracet’ pain killer tablets of Janssen Pharmaceuticals. These brokers are reportedly experts in imitating drugs and marketing them especially in Southern states. “We have so far identified the manufacturing unit where these tablets are being prepared. Not only Ultracet, the accused are imitating other drugs. The kingpin is absconding and will be caught soon. We are taking the help of Rourkee police to bust the fake medicine racket,” said a CTF police.
While lodging a complaint with the police, representatives of Janssen Pharmaceuticals claimed that the tablets are fake and the dosage of the tablet is very strong. One should not use Ultracet if one has severe breathing problems, a blockage in their stomach or intestines. “The misuse of Ultracet can lead to addiction and death, especially in a child or a person using the medicine without a prescription. Ultracet is not approved for use by anyone below 18 years age,” said representatives.
What is Ultracet?
Ultracet contains a combination of Tramadol and Acetaminophen. Tramadol is a narcotic-like pain reliever. Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of Tramadol. Ultracet is used to treat moderate to severe pain and may also be used for purposes not listed in the medication guide.
Consumers’ health at stake
medical shops were raided by CTF officials in One Town area on November 1. They have also seized five boxes of imitated Ultracet tablets. CTF officials found the alleged illegal unit in Rourkee manufacturing spurious drugs, tablets and tonics
All medicine shops have been issued notices to stop selling spurious drugs supplied by unknown pharmaceutical companies and marketing agencies
Counterfeit drugs flooding pharmacies
While an Ultracet pack costs only H125 for a marketing agency in the wholesale market,
(H142 for consumers), imitators sell the product to marketing agencies for H80