'Spurious drugs pose a significant threat to public health, endangering patients' well-being,' the DCA stated.
Published Jan 13, 2026 | 3:51 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 13, 2026 | 3:51 PM
Telangana seizes counterfeit anti-epileptic drug. (Supplied)
Synopsis: Levipil 500 tablet is an anti-epileptic medicine used to treat seizures (fits) in epilepsy. It can be used alone or along with other medicines and helps to prevent seizures for as long as patients continue to take it. The medication works by suppressing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
The Drugs Control Administration (DCA), Telangana, has seized counterfeit versions of ‘Levipil 500’ tablets, an anti-epileptic medication, which were falsely claimed to be manufactured by Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd.
“Based on intelligence gathered by Drugs Control Administration officials, raids were conducted at several dealers in the state, leading to the detection of a spurious drug – a counterfeit version of ‘Levipil 500’ tablets (Levetiracetam tablets 500 mg) – circulating in the market,” the DCA said in a statement on 13 January.
Levipil 500 tablet is an anti-epileptic medicine used to treat seizures (fits) in epilepsy. It can be used alone or along with other medicines and helps to prevent seizures for as long as patients continue to take it. The medication works by suppressing abnormal electrical activity in the brain.
During the raids, a special team of officers detected counterfeit stocks of Levipil 500 tablets at the premises of Durga Medical and General Stores, located in Sudharsan Reddy Nagar, Chintal, Quthbullapur Village, Quthbullapur Mandal, Medchal-Malkajgiri District.
“On 12th January 2026, counterfeit version of ‘Levipil 500′ tablets (Levetiracetam tablets 500 mg), bearing Batch No.: GTF0885A, Mfg. Date: April 2024, Exp. Date: March 2026, and falsely claimed to be manufactured by Sun Pharma Laboratories Ltd., Vill. Kokjhar, Dist. Kamrup, Assam, was seized,” the DCA stated.
The administration has confirmed that further investigation will be conducted, and appropriate action will be taken against all offenders involved.
“Spurious drugs pose a significant threat to public health, endangering patients’ well-being. These drugs not only fail to treat the intended disease but also can lead to severe health complications over time. DCA is actively working to ensure the removal of spurious drugs from the market,” the administration said.
The latest seizure comes just days after the DCA issued a “stop use notice” on Friday, 9 January, following a laboratory report that declared Almont-Kid syrup adulterated with ethylene glycol (EG), a highly toxic substance.
The alert followed information received from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), East Zone, Kolkata. “The Drugs Control Administration, Telangana, has received an alert from the CDSCO regarding a laboratory report that has declared the following syrup as adulterated with ethylene glycol,” the department said.
The contaminated product was identified as Almont-Kid syrup (Levocetirizine dihydrochloride and Montelukast sodium syrup), Batch No. AL-24002, manufactured in January 2025 with an expiry date of December 2026. The syrup is manufactured by Tridus Remedies, located at Hajipur in Vaishali district of Bihar.
“In light of the above, the public is hereby strongly advised to immediately stop the use of the above syrup, if in possession, and report the same to the nearest Drugs Control Authority without delay,” the DCA stated.
Almont-Kid syrup is commonly prescribed for children to manage allergy-related conditions, including allergic rhinitis, sneezing, runny nose, and allergy-induced cough.
(Edited by Sumavarsha)
