Maharashtra FDA Intensifies Action Against Illegal Drugs, Seizes ₹20.23 Crore Worth of Medicines
The Maharashtra FDA has ramped up inspections, seizing ₹20.23 crore worth of illegal drugs between April and September 2026.
Mumbai, October 14 (Daily Kiran) : The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has significantly escalated its enforcement actions against drug production and sales. Between June and September 2026, the agency recorded a staggering 4.6-fold increase in monthly inspections compared to the previous April-May period. During this time, they seized or restricted illegal and suspicious drug stocks valued at ₹19.11 crore, contributing to a total of ₹20.23 crore seized from April to September.
According to a press release from the FDA, inspections rose from 467 in April and May to 4,256 over the four months from June to September. The average monthly inspections jumped from approximately 234 to 1,064.
The increase in inspections was notable, with production unit inspections rising nearly fourfold and sales unit inspections increasing by about 4.7 times. The FDA met 131% of its inspection targets during this period, a significant rise from just 29% in the earlier months. Specifically, sales units achieved 141% of their targets, while production units reached 106%.
The FDA also took action against non-compliant entities, issuing 1,402 notices between June and September. Additionally, 288 licenses were revoked, and 856 were suspended.
During this period, the FDA conducted 115 search and seizure operations, a sharp increase from just eight in April and May. These operations led to the confiscation of illegal and suspicious drug stocks worth ₹19.11 crore. The agency filed 33 First Information Reports (FIRs) and arrested 14 individuals.
The crackdown involved cases related to unlicensed drug storage and sales, misleading advertisements, counterfeit drugs, and violations of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
From April to September 2026, the FDA conducted a total of 4,723 inspections, issuing 1,681 notices and revoking or suspending 1,581 licenses. In 123 search and seizure operations during this time, they confiscated stocks worth ₹20.23 crore, resulting in 35 FIRs and the arrest of 15 individuals.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe emphasized that protecting public health is a core responsibility of the administration. He noted that the significant increase in inspections and enforcement actions over the past four months reflects the agency’s vigilance. Mundhe also stated that efforts to prevent the circulation of counterfeit, substandard, and unlicensed medicines will be expanded statewide, with strict legal action planned against violators.
