Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration has confiscated medicines worth more than ₹73 lakh, including Patanjali-linked products valued at over ₹51 lakh, in a statewide drive against misleading advertisements and misbranded drugs.
Maharashtra’s Food and Drug Administration has launched one of its most extensive crackdowns in recent years against misleading pharmaceutical advertisements, seizing medicines worth more than ₹73 lakh across the state, including Patanjali-linked products valued at over ₹51 lakh, according to a Hindustan Times report.
The enforcement drive targeted medicines allegedly promoted through exaggerated or unlawful therapeutic claims, reflecting growing regulatory scrutiny of the booming Ayurveda and wellness products industry.
Officials conducted simultaneous raids across seven regional divisions — Mumbai, Konkan, Pune, Nashik, Amravati, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar — under provisions of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, the HT report stated. The action followed directions issued by newly appointed FDA commissioner Tukaram Mundhe shortly after assuming office last week.
A substantial portion of the seized inventory was linked to Divya Pharmacy, the Haridwar-based company associated with Baba Ramdev’s Patanjali group, as per the news report. Authorities alleged that several products were being marketed using claims related to guaranteed cures, miraculous results and treatment of serious illnesses — practices prohibited under existing regulations.
Among the products confiscated were Drushti Eye Drop, Giloy Ghan Vati, Kutaj Ghan Vati, Cystogrit Diamond tablets, Neurogrit Gold capsules, Madhugrit tablets and Memorygrit tablets.
The Konkan division reported the largest seizure of Patanjali-linked products at ₹18.58 lakh, followed by Pune at ₹14.68 lakh and Nagpur at ₹7.26 lakh. Pune officials also seized misbranded allopathic medicines worth ₹21.83 lakh during inspections.
The crackdown highlights increasing regulatory pressure on companies operating in India’s alternative medicine and wellness sectors, particularly those making broad health claims in advertising campaigns. Ayurveda and herbal wellness brands have witnessed explosive growth in recent years, fueled by rising consumer interest in preventive healthcare and natural remedies.
But regulators have increasingly warned that exaggerated marketing claims can mislead consumers, especially patients suffering from chronic or serious illnesses who may rely on unverified treatments.
