1,250 fake Nicardia tablets seized in Gujarat crackdown on counterfeit drugs
Synopsis
Gujarat's drug regulators have uncovered a suspected cross-state counterfeit network for Nicardia Retard 10 — a cardiac medication — with 1,250 tablets seized from stores across eight districts and a supply trail reportedly traced back to Lucknow. With the manufacturer now under scrutiny and police action possible, this is more than a routine raid.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat FDCA launched a three-day inspection drive on 19 August targeting suspected counterfeit Nicardia Retard 10 tablets.
1,250 tablets were seized — 660 from Kishan Medical Store in Nadiad and 590 from Parshva Medical Agency in Paldi, Ahmedabad .
Medicines worth approximately ₹1.70 lakh were restricted from sale across multiple outlets.
The suspected supply chain has been traced to Sena Pharmas in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh , indicating a possible inter-state network.
Inspections covered more than 30 establishments across 8 districts including Ahmedabad, Surat, Bhavnagar, and Bhuj.
Police action against those found responsible is possible, according to officials; the investigation is ongoing.
Gujarat's Food and Drug Control Administration (FDCA) has seized 1,250 suspected counterfeit Nicardia Retard 10 tablets and restricted medicines worth approximately ₹1.70 lakh during a three-day inspection drive launched on 19 August across Ahmedabad and several other districts. The crackdown, covering more than 30 medical stores and pharmaceutical firms, follows a tip-off about the alleged circulation of duplicate cardiac medication bearing the name of a legitimate manufacturer.
What Triggered the Crackdown
According to officials, the department received specific information that counterfeit or duplicate Nicardia Retard 10 tablets — bearing batch number ACG25007 and the name of J.B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. of Bharuch — were allegedly being sold at Leelavati Pharmacy & Wellness Pvt. Ltd. in the Satellite area of Ahmedabad. This intelligence set off a widening sweep across the state.
Nicardia Retard is a calcium channel blocker used in the management of hypertension and angina, making the circulation of counterfeit versions a direct risk to patients with cardiac conditions.
Key Seizures and Locations
Inspectors found and seized 660 tablets from Kishan Medical Store in Nadiad, which were collected as prescribed samples and dispatched for laboratory testing. A further 590 tablets were seized from Parshva Medical Agency in the Paldi area of Ahmedabad. According to the department, this stock had been supplied through Apex Pharma Agency in Bhavnagar to Rotary Timbi Medical Stores in Timbi.
Authorities also collected samples of and restricted stocks of other suspected medicines, including different batches of Nicardia Retard 20, Cilacar 5, Cilacar 10, Cilakar TM 50, and Nicardia Retard 10. The total value of restricted stock is estimated at around ₹1.70 lakh.
The Suspected Supply Chain
The preliminary investigation has reportedly traced a distribution chain originating at Sena Pharmas in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, flowing through Parth Medical Agency (Paldi), Paras Ecomed (Satellite), Sanand Medical Store (Sanand), and ultimately reaching Leelavati Pharmacy & Wellness Pvt. Ltd. in Satellite. The cross-state trail suggests a potentially organised network, though the investigation is ongoing and no arrests have been confirmed yet.
Inspections have been conducted across firms and stores in Ahmedabad, Nadiad, Sanand, Surat, Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Gandhinagar, and Bhuj — spanning more than 25 named establishments.
Government Direction and Next Steps
The inspections are being conducted under directions from state Health Minister Praful Pansheriya and the supervision of the Food and Drug Control Commissioner. Officials said the inquiry would be extended to the manufacturer level, and that police action could be initiated against those found responsible, if warranted.
The FDCA is currently examining purchase and sale records of all concerned firms. The department stated that the drive is part of a broader effort to prevent the circulation of illegal, counterfeit, and duplicate medicines and to ensure citizens have access to safe, quality drugs. The investigation remains active, with officials tracing the suspected supply chain back to its source.
Point of View
Not merely a rogue pharmacy. The FDCA's sweep is commendable, but the fact that suspected fake tablets bearing the name of a legitimate manufacturer reached more than 30 outlets across eight districts before being flagged raises serious questions about real-time track-and-trace infrastructure. India has long debated a centralised drug serialisation mandate; incidents like this underscore the cost of delay. The extension of the probe to the manufacturer level will be the real test of whether accountability travels up the chain or stops at the retail shelf.
NationPress
23 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the suspected fake Nicardia Retard 10 tablets seized in Gujarat?
They are tablets suspected to be counterfeit or duplicate versions of Nicardia Retard 10, a cardiac medication used to treat hypertension and angina. The seized tablets bore batch number ACG25007 and the name of J.B. Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. of Bharuch, and were found at multiple medical stores across Gujarat during an FDCA inspection drive launched on 19 August.
How many tablets were seized and where?
A total of 1,250 suspected counterfeit tablets were seized — 660 from Kishan Medical Store in Nadiad and 590 from Parshva Medical Agency in the Paldi area of Ahmedabad. Samples have been sent for laboratory testing.
What is the suspected supply chain behind the fake tablets?
Preliminary investigation has reportedly identified a distribution chain beginning with Sena Pharmas in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, passing through Parth Medical Agency and Paras Ecomed in Ahmedabad, Sanand Medical Store in Sanand, and ending at Leelavati Pharmacy & Wellness Pvt. Ltd. in Satellite, Ahmedabad. The investigation is ongoing.
Which other medicines were restricted during the Gujarat FDCA drive?
Besides Nicardia Retard 10, authorities restricted stocks of Nicardia Retard 20, Cilacar 5, Cilacar 10, and Cilakar TM 50. The total value of all restricted medicines is estimated at approximately ₹1.70 lakh.
What action could be taken against those found responsible?
Officials have stated that police action could be initiated against individuals or firms found to be involved, if warranted. The FDCA is currently examining purchase and sale records, and the inquiry is expected to be extended to the manufacturer level.
