Rs 700-cr cough syrup racket: UP drug regulator wants tighter rules, Pg8

Key Highlights:

• A Rs 700-crore racket involving illegal sale and supply of codeine-based cough syrup (CBCS) was uncovered in Uttar Pradesh.
• The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has proposed stricter rules for wholesale drug licensing to prevent misuse.
• Over 3.25 crore bottles of cough syrup were supplied in UP during 2024-25, exceeding actual medical needs.
• 79 FIRs have been lodged against 161 firms and 85 people have been arrested in 36 districts.

Detailed Insights:

• The FSDA has proposed geo-tagging of wholesale establishments, verification of storage capacity, and photographic documentation to enhance transparency.
• The FSDA will propose to the Central Government the issuance of guidelines for the manufacture, supply, distribution, and monitoring of codeine-based cough syrups.
• Investigations revealed a parallel distribution network using super stockists in Delhi and Ranchi, with unsubstantiated sales details to retail outlets.
• A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed to conduct a detailed probe and submit a report to the Chief Minister next month.
• District Magistrates have been instructed to initiate action under the Gangster Act to seize assets acquired through illegal narcotics.
• The Allahabad High Court upheld proceedings under the NDPS Act and dismissed petitions filed by the accused.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Codeine-Based Cough Syrup (CBCS): A cough syrup containing codeine, a narcotic substance, often misused for its intoxicating effects.
• Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act: Indian legislation that prohibits the manufacture, possession, sale, purchase, transport, storage, and consumption of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.
• Geo-tagging: The process of adding geographical identification metadata to various media such as photographs or videos.