FIR against Wockhardt's clearing, forwarding outlets in Maharashtra

FIR for alleged illegal sale and distribution of Spasmoproxyvon Capsules

The Maharashtra Foods & Drugs Administration (FDA) has registered a first information report (FIR) in Pune against Wockhardt’s clearing and forwarding outlets (entities responsible for maintaining stocks of the company’s products and forwarding to stockists on request) for the alleged illegal sale and distribution of spasmoproxyvon capsules. The FIR was lodged according to the provisions of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act, 1940, and the Indian Penal Code.

Through a notification on May 23, the Centre had suspended the manufacture, sale and distribution of dextropropoxyphene, under Section 26 of the Drugs & Cosmetics Act. Dextropropoxyphene is a drug used in proxyvon, spasmoproxyvon and parvon, which are allegedly misused by addicts. FDA has also lodged similar FIRs against Wockhardt’s dealers and stockists in Pune, Mumbai and Kolhapur. FDA Commissioner Mahesh Zagde told Business Standard, “Action has been taken against the drugs that are banned in Maharashtra.”

A Wockhardt spokesman said, “Wockhardt has received an order from the Bombay High Court, refraining any further action against the company/its people until the matter is heard in the court on August 1. Earlier, Wockhardt had already contested the ban on dextropropoxyphene with a filing before the appropriate judicial authority. We shall fully cooperate with the relevant authorities in this matter.”

 

FDA's move comes close on the heels of the seizure of these capsules by customs officials at the Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Andheri (East) and from two warehouses situated in the Mumbai suburbs.

 

Industry sources said that three tablets of Spasmoproxyvon dissolved in soda water give the user the desired euphoria, which lasts for more than three hours. When it is dissolved in soft drinks its effect is stronger.