Noose tightens on spurious drug trade

Foil and mono carton box manufacturers will soon come under the regulatory control of state drug authorities as part of a crackdown on the spurious and narcotic drug trade, said officials. This move aims to curb rogue pharmaceutical companies that produce drugs without valid licenses, operate under fake company names or misuse the branding of established firms.

In states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh, cases of narcotic-based medicine diversion and counterfeit drug supply have repeatedly emerged. These drugs, distributed through unauthorized traders, contribute to substance abuse and pose health risks. Dr Manish Kapoor, the State Drug Controller, emphasised the need for compulsory registration of foil and mono carton manufacturers. This would enable punitive action against those supplying packaging materials to unauthorized drug manufacturers or misusing the names of reputable brands. Currently, there are no legal provisions to penalize such manufacturers, allowing them to aid illegal drug trade with impunity.

A recent case involved a Nalagarh-based corrugator arrested by Uttarakhand Police for supplying aluminum foils and cartons — with QR codes — bearing branded drug names to unauthorised firms. A recommendation would be sent to the Drug Controller General of India to present the issue to the Drugs Consultative Committee, which may forward it to the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB).