Bareilly Medical Firm Charged for Illegal Distribution of Codeine Syrup Worth Rs 96.67 Lakh

Bareilly authorities have filed charges against a local medical supply company for the alleged illegal distribution of codeine-based cough syrup and other narcotic medications, according to Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) officials' announcement on Wednesday.

During a regulatory inspection, the owner of Extreme Health Solutions in Bareilly reportedly failed to provide documentation for the transactions involving controlled substances, which prompted the FSDA to initiate legal proceedings.

FSDA inspector Rajesh Kumar confirmed filing a formal complaint against the company's proprietor, Rahul Sabharwal from Rajendra Nagar, at the Kotwali police station under applicable sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

FSDA officials revealed that numerous traders in Bareilly are believed to be participating in widespread illegal trafficking of narcotic medicines. Recent enforcement operations have revealed "significant violations" of regulations, according to authorities.

As part of their ongoing efforts to combat the unauthorized sale of codeine-based cough syrup, the FSDA conducted a thorough examination of the establishment last month. During this inspection, the proprietor stated that he had acquired 62,687 bottles of Rexley-T codeine syrup valued at approximately Rs 96.67 lakh but was unable to produce any sales documentation.

"This clearly demonstrated that the cough syrup was distributed illegally in the market for increased profits," Kumar explained.

The proprietor also informed investigators that a portion of the inventory was transferred to a medical firm in Pilibhit, for which he received electronic payment, according to the FSDA.