In a shocking case that raised concern over public health, Surat Police arrested a medical shop owner for allegedly repackaging a tonic meant for animals and selling it as medicine for children at a higher price.
Police have appealed to the public to immediately seek necessary medical treatment if they purchased the medicine and suffered any adverse health effects, and to contact the police. Police also advised consumers to verify the authenticity and quality of medicines with their treating doctors and to take medication strictly as prescribed. A team from the Surat Special Operations Group raided the medical store in Gopipura locality in Surat and arrested its owner, identified as Mohammad Sajid Ibrahim Mulla (51), Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rajdeepsinh Nakum said on Wednesday. Mulla then allegedly affixed counterfeit labels bearing the name Himalaya Liv.52 Drops, a paediatric product, onto the bottles to pass them off as medicine suitable for children. The accused used to sell the product at twice its price, he said, adding that police seized materials and other items valued at Rs 31,195 during the operation. An FIR was registered at Athwa police station under sections 123 (causing hurt by means of poison), 125 (rash, negligent act endangering human life), 336 (forgery), and 278 (sale of a drug as a different drug) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
