Chennai: The Drugs Control Administration (DCA) in Tamil Nadu has dismantled a large, illicit network involved in the unauthorized sale and distribution of abortion medicines, with a significant haul of 6,720 ‘Dr. Morepen MTP Kits’ seized in a major crackdown.
According to S. Gurubharathi, the Controlling and Licensing Authority of the DCA, the operation highlights the state’s proactive approach in tackling a growing public health menace. The investigation began on his direction and was led by dedicated drugs inspectors from the Namakkal district.
The probe traced the origin of the illegal trade to a Bengaluru-based individual, Dharnidharan Selvam, who operated without a valid license as required by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Selvam procured a massive quantity of Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) kits and supplied them to an unauthorized distribution chain. This network extended into various parts of Tamil Nadu, with the medicines being illegally sold to individuals like Saravanan of Theni and two other individuals, Karthick Rajesh and another one Saravanan from Salem.
Gurubharathi said the illegal sale of MTP kits poses a severe health risk to women, as these powerful drugs are meant to be used only under strict medical supervision and with a valid prescription from a registered doctor. Administering such medicines without proper guidance can lead to dangerous complications, including excessive bleeding, infection, and incomplete abortion, which can be life-threatening. The lack of medical oversight bypasses critical safety protocols, placing vulnerable individuals at extreme risk.
The successful operation is a testament to the department’s vigilant efforts to protect public health and curb the rampant black market for prescription drugs. The DCA has not only identified and apprehended the main culprits but also filed a police complaint to initiate criminal proceedings against all those involved in this unauthorized distribution chain. This move signals a strong commitment from the authorities to hold violators accountable under the law.
Considering recent incidents, this raid & seizure is not an isolated one, but rather part of a broader nationwide problem.
The illegal sale of abortion pills has become a widespread issue across India. Drugs Control Administrations in states like Delhi and Telangana have also intensified their efforts, detecting numerous cases and taking stern action.
In Telangana, for instance, the licenses of many pharmacies were either suspended or cancelled after being found in violation of the law. This trend underscores the need for coordinated, nationwide action to combat this dangerous trade.
Following the raid, the DCA in Tamil Nadu has issued a public caution, reiterating that the illegal sale and purchase of medicines, especially those with a serious public health impact, is a punishable offense. Citizens are urged to procure and use such drugs only with a proper prescription and through licensed, authorized sources to avoid serious health consequences and legal repercussions. The public is advised to report any suspicious activities to the authorities to help dismantle these illegal networks and safeguard community well-being.
