Based on their raids in September, the Hyderabad Drugs Control Administration (DCA) discovered that iron tablets were the most abused by illicit makers, followed by zinc, folic acid, and vitamin D. Iron supplements were particularly emphasized because of the risks associated with their illicit manufacturing. These tablets are frequently prescribed for anemia, pregnancy, and individuals recovering from surgery.
The usage of such inferior iron tablets can be fatal, according to DCA officials. Patients who consume ineffective counterfeit tablets in the event that they require iron, particularly after surgery or during pregnancy, may not obtain the appropriate amount of iron supplementation. Generalized weakness, malnourishment, neuropathy, and even heart failure may result from this. For pregnant women, the lack of appropriate nutrition may cause development retardation in the fetus.
Eight of the 14 distinct medications that were confiscated in September alone contained different forms of iron, such as folic acid, zinc, and ferrous ascorbate. These medications were developed in other states, such as Haryana, in addition to Telangana. Ferrorus-XT, Ferin-XT, and Ferisyn-XT pills are a few of the medications that were discovered; they were discovered in places like Bhupalpally, Malkajgiri, and Pedapalli, respectively.
A large number of these illicitly created medications are made in accordance with food licenses, which do not call for following good manufacturing procedures (GMP). Patients’ health is put at risk because of this lack of oversight, which frequently results in a failure to satisfy quality requirements. VB The Director General of DCA Telangana, Kamalasan Reddy, stated that there is a serious risk to patient safety because earlier samples of these medications lacked no active components.
Illegal distribution of iron supplements and other supplements can have serious health consequences, especially for vulnerable populations including post-operative patients and pregnant women. The DCA’s conclusions highlight how crucial it is to keep an eye on drug manufacturing and make sure all pharmaceutical products follow GMP guidelines in order to prevent negative health effects and protect the general public’s health.
SOURCE :
TIMES OF INDIA
