In a major late-night operation on Tuesday, Ahmedabad City Police carried out surprise checks at 724 medical stores across the city. The drive led to 160 cases being registered, including one under the strict Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
According to media report, the coordinated drive was part of a citywide crackdown on irregularities in the pharmaceutical retail sector.
Police teams from various zones fanned across neighbourhoods, targeting chemist shops suspected of operating without proper licenses, maintaining incomplete records, or illegally dispensing restricted medications.
A senior official involved in the operation said, “Out of the 724 stores checked, 160 were found to be in violation of various regulations. One serious case under the NDPS Act has also been registered after restricted substances were found at a medical shop without proper documentation or prescription records.”
The action comes amid increasing concerns over the misuse of prescription drugs and the illegal sale of psychotropic substances in urban areas. The police said further investigations are underway and warned that such surprise checks will continue in the coming days.
The Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA) has also joined the operation to examine seized stock and verify drug records. Authorities are likely to issue notices and initiate licence suspension proceedings against violators.
This citywide crackdown comes on the heels of similar actions in other Gujarat districts in recent months, pointing to a coordinated state-level push against pharmaceutical malpractice.