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Agra. In a significant action against the illegal pharmaceutical trade, the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) carried out a large-scale raid in Agra’s prominent drug markets, seizing physician samples of reputed companies and expired medicines worth crores of rupees. A special 30-member team from the Lucknow headquarters conducted simultaneous inspections across multiple locations in the Fuwara area, triggering widespread panic among traders.
Raids Across Drug Markets
The operation was carried out under the supervision of Commissioner Dr. Roshan Jacob. During the extensive drive, the team inspected 20 firms and warehouses across more than 12 major commercial hubs. Several irregularities were detected in the initial phase itself, following which the seized medicines were immediately confiscated and sent for laboratory testing.
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Key locations covered during the raid included Jain Complex, Maheshwari Complex, Bohre Ramgopal Market, Mubarak Mahal, Nawabia Market, and Kammu Tola, among several other busy pharmaceutical trading zones. As soon as the inspection began, several shopkeepers reportedly locked their warehouses and fled, forcing officials to break open 12 locked storage units to continue the search.
Physician Samples Seized
Investigations revealed that large quantities of medicines belonging to categories such as antibiotics, pain relief, digestive disorders, asthma, dermatological treatments, and other therapeutic segments were found illegally stored in multiple warehouses. A significant portion of the recovered stock carried clear markings such as “Not for Sale – Physician Sample,” indicating violation of regulatory norms by diverting non-sale samples into the market.
Officials also recovered a substantial amount of expired medicines that were allegedly being prepared for re-entry into the market through illegal channels. Authorities stated that such practices not only violate drug regulations but also pose a serious threat to public health and patient safety.
CCTV Evidence Collected
During the operation, the FSDA team also seized critical evidence, including DVR systems from CCTV cameras installed at various warehouses. These recordings are expected to help investigators identify individuals involved in the illegal distribution network and trace the operational chain behind the racket.
In a separate instance, officials discovered that one warehouse previously sealed by the department had been forcibly reopened, and attempts were made to remove stored medicines. However, the inspection team intervened in time and re-seized the stock, preventing further tampering of evidence.
Wider Network Under Probe
Preliminary findings suggest that the case may not be limited to a few isolated establishments. Authorities believe a well-organised supply network could be operating behind the scenes, facilitating the diversion and illegal sale of physician samples and expired medicines across markets.
Officials confirmed that a total of 30 firms and warehouses have been identified for investigation. Out of these, 20 locations have already been covered under the raid, while inspections at the remaining sites are underway. All seized medicines have been sent to laboratories to verify their quality, composition, and source of procurement.
FSDA officials stated that the operation is part of a broader effort to ensure transparency in the pharmaceutical supply chain and curb illegal trade practices. The scope of investigation is expected to expand further in the coming days, with authorities working to identify additional individuals involved in the network.
The probe remains ongoing, and officials have reiterated that strict legal action will be taken against all those found responsible.
