Dolo pill maker indulging in unethical practices: CBDT
New Delhi, July 13
The Central Bureau of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has accused the makers of the famous Dolo-650 medicine tablet of indulging in “unethical practices” and distributing freebies of over Rs 1,000 crore to doctors and medical professionals for promoting their products.
The CBDT, which functions under the Ministry of Finance, made claims following the raids conducted by Income Tax sleuths on July 6 at 36 premises of Bengaluru-based Micro Labs Ltd across nine states.
While the CBDT statement did not identify the group, sources confirmed it was Micro Labs Ltd. After the action against the drug-maker, the CBDT said in a statement that the department seized “unaccounted” Rs 1.2 crore, and gold and diamond jewellery worth Rs 1.4 crore.
“During raids, incriminating evidence in form of documents and digital data has been found and seized,” it said.
“The evidence indicates that the group has adopted unethical practices to promote its products,” it further said. Dolo-650, an analgesic (pain killer) and antipyretic (fever-reducing) oral tablet, was being extensively prescribed by doctors and medical shop owners for Covid infection.
The CBDT also alleged certain other irregularities on part of the group that has a presence in more than 50 countries and manufactures pharma products and active pharmaceutical ingredients.
