The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has taken action against Cadila Pharmaceuticals Ltd, halting the sale and distribution of specific medicines valued at around Rs 2.45 crore. The FDA’s move aims to prevent medication errors arising from similar branding of different drugs.
The banned medicines include Aciloc 150, Aciloc 150 Plus, Aciloc 300, and Aciloc 300 Plus, which contain distinct active pharmaceutical ingredients despite their nearly identical branding. Originally approved with Ranitidine, Aciloc 150 and Aciloc 300 were later replaced with Famotidine in Aciloc 150 Plus and Aciloc 300 Plus, with only a ‘plus’ symbol distinguishing them.
FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe highlighted the risk of confusion among healthcare professionals and patients due to the parallel availability of Ranitidine- and Famotidine-based drugs. The FDA’s recent inspections led to the seizure of the medicines in warehouses across Pune, Nagpur, and Bhiwandi, with a total stock value of Rs 2,45,37,490.
The FDA emphasized the importance of adhering to guidelines that prohibit marketing drugs with altered compositions under similar brand names. The regulatory body assured that further investigations are ongoing, and legal actions will be taken in accordance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, based on the inspection outcomes.
