Hyderabad: In a major crackdown on the illegal sale of expired medicines, the Hyderabad City Police Commissioner’s Task Force, Khairtabad Zone Team, arrested two individuals during surprise inspections at two medical stores in MS Maqtha, Khairtabad. Authorities seized thousands of expired medicines and healthcare products that were allegedly being sold to unsuspecting customers.
Acting on credible information, the Task Force conducted simultaneous inspections at AL Zamzam Chemist & Druggist and AL Shifa Medical & General Store. During the operation, officials recovered 3,187 expired medicines and healthcare products valued at ₹88,277. The seized items included tablets, syrups, injections, ointments, protein supplements, energy powders, digestive aids, and nutritional products. A Motorola mobile phone worth ₹10,000 was also confiscated, taking the total value of the seized property to ₹98,277.
Police identified the arrested individuals as Mohd. Azharuddin (41), owner of both medical stores, and Syed Sohail (20), an employee at AL Zamzam Chemist & Druggist.
According to investigators, the accused allegedly removed or cut off the manufacturing and expiry date details from medicine strips before selling the expired products to customers for illegal financial gain. Officials said the practice posed a serious threat to public health, as consumers could unknowingly use expired medicines that may be ineffective or harmful.
Following the operation, the accused and the seized medicines were handed over to the Drug Inspector, Khairtabad Zone, for further investigation and legal action under the relevant provisions of the law.
Hyderabad City Police have urged the public to remain vigilant while purchasing medicines and healthcare products. Citizens are advised to carefully check the manufacturing and expiry dates before buying medicines and to immediately report any suspected sale of expired or tampered medicines to the concerned authorities.
The operation was carried out by Inspector P. Raghavender, Sub-Inspector G. Srikanth, and personnel of the Commissioner’s Task Force, Khairtabad Zone Team, Hyderabad City.
