Due to Covid-19 pandemic, illegal sale of hand sanitisers and masks have also been increased. The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has detected 39 cases of non-compliance to Essential Commodities (EC) Order and Drugs and Cosmetics (D&C) Act as 158 calls have been received on its toll free helpline numbers.
The FDA has also seized stock worth Rs. 94 lakhs of hand sanitisers and masks based on 2,379 inspections and 5 raids since April 21 till date. The state drug regulator had earlier also seized stock worth Rs. 1.80 crore hand sanitisers and masks based on 10,339 inspections over the past two weeks.
The FDA officials are vigilant to maintain proper supplies of PPE kits, hand sanitizers, masks and medicines in the state. The calls have been recieved on the toll free numbers of the state drug controller 1800222365 and 022 26592362/ 26592263/ 26592365. The state drug regulator has resolved around 121 cases of non-compliance D&C Act in the past based on 404 calls at Toll free numbers.
54 raids have also been conducted on firms and seized of hand sanitisers and masks worth Rs. 1.77 crore based on 8,033 inspections in the month of March.
Citizens have been appealed to report all issues related to black marketing of medicines and or essential drugs and products at the toll free numbers.
