Telangana DCA seizes ₹70.56 lakh worth pharmaceutical excipients in Hyderabad over label tampering

Officials of the Telangana Drugs Control Administration (DCA) have seized pharmaceutical excipients worth ₹70.56 lakh from a premises in the Alwal area of Hyderabad after uncovering alleged illegal label tampering and the use of fictitious manufacturing details.

DCA officials conducted a raid on June 12 at DK Pharmaceuticals, located in Mangapuram Colony, Old Alwal. During the inspection, officials found 12 cardboard drums containing 240 kg of Hydroxypropyl Betadex, a pharmaceutical excipient used as a solubilising and stabilising agent in the manufacture of various drug formulations.

According to the DCA, the drums carried labels bearing Batch No. RHPB/2026/05/002 with manufacturing date May 2026 and expiry date April 2029. The labels identified DK Pharmaceuticals as the manufacturer and mentioned a manufacturing unit at Plot No. 59/B, EPIP, Pashamylaram, Sangareddy district. However, subsequent verification revealed that the manufacturing facility mentioned on the labels was fictitious and did not exist.

Further investigation found that partners of DK Pharmaceuticals, Mr. Sateesh Babu Dhulapalli and Mr. Nagaswami Katragadda, had allegedly removed the original labels from the pharmaceutical excipient and replaced them with fabricated labels carrying details of the non-existent manufacturing unit. The stock was seized during the operation, said a release from the DCA.

Officials said samples had been collected for analysis, and further investigation was underway. They added that action would be taken against all those involved in accordance with the law. Such activities constitute serious violations of the provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Rules framed under it, carrying a punishment of imprisonment for up to five years.