PESHAWAR: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) in Peshawar has launched a crackdown on the sale of counterfeit and banned drugs rampant in local markets.
The spokesperson for FIA Peshawar Zone outlined the extensive efforts undertaken to address this pressing issue, highlighting nine raids conducted across various locations in Peshawar and neighboring regions.
These operations encompassed thorough inspections of several drug stores, including prominent establishments like Bangash Pharmacy and Corner Pharmacy in Peshawar, as well as Al-Kazmi Medical Store in Abbottabad. Additionally, attention was drawn to the Taj Syringe Manufacturing Factory situated in the Gadoon Amazai Industrial Area, Swabi, where illicit production of banned syringes was discovered.
The intervention of the FIA, in collaboration with drug inspectors, revealed a disturbing trend of unauthorized manufacturing and distribution of prohibited syringes in the aforementioned factory. The seized syringes were confirmed to be in violation of the Drape Act, signaling a serious breach of regulatory standards.
Moreover, during the course of these raids, a substantial quantity of prohibited drugs, including Vega, Cargo, Tagnar, Supratex, Arimidex, Move Cream, Mytica, Magnet, and Toric Injection, were confiscated from various medical stores and pharmacies. These illicit substances pose significant health risks to consumers and underscore the urgent need for stringent enforcement measures.
In response to these findings, samples of the seized drugs have been dispatched to drug testing laboratories for comprehensive analysis. Following the receipt of detailed reports from the laboratories, formal inquiries will be conducted, and FIRs will be registered against the perpetrators involved in the illicit trade of fake and prohibited drugs.
This concerted effort by the FIA reflects the government’s commitment to combating the proliferation of counterfeit pharmaceuticals and safeguarding public health. By targeting illicit drug operations at both the manufacturing and retail levels, authorities aim to disrupt the supply chain of harmful substances and hold accountable those responsible for endangering the well-being of citizens.
