Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government has banned the sale of 10 allopathic medicines and seven Ayurvedic arishtams after they were found to be of substandard quality, as authorities intensify efforts against counterfeit and unsafe medicines.

Banned Ayurvedic medicines

Banned Medicine, each with a ten-year validity from its manufacturing date

  • Amritarishtam (Batch 0110)
  • Kanakasavam (0114)
  • Ashwagandharishtam (111)
  • Usirasavam (0117)
  • Kudajarishtam (0113)
  • Abhayarishtam (109) – all from Karunagappally Bala Herbals
  • Ashokaristam (0220) – from Karunagappally Shiva Ayurvedic Pharmaceuticals

The move follows previous crackdowns by the Drugs Control Department, which last month seized counterfeit inhaler medicines used by asthma patients. The seizure, involving medicines worth approximately Rs. 2 lakh, prompted action against Aswas Pharma, headquartered in Balaramapuram, Thiruvananthapuram, and Med World Pharma in Poonkunnam, Thrissur.

Banned allopathic medicines

The following allopathic drugs have also been banned due to quality concerns:

  • Rabeprazole Sodium Tablets IP 20 mg (Torab) manufactured by OAKSUN Lifesciences in Telangana, batch T25.018, expiring in December 2026
  • Montelukast and Levocetirizine Tablets (Lecet-M) produced by Spinka Pharma, batch LCM-5061 expiring in May 2027
  • Glimepiride Tablets IP 2 mg from Kerala State Drugs and Pharmaceuticals Ltd., batch GL 4142 expiring in October 2026
  • Ranitidine Oral Solution IP (Raani Drops) from Sresan Pharmaceuticals, batch SR-017 expiring in May 2026
  • Aceclofenac and Paracetamol Tablets (Richnac-P) from J M Laboratories in Himachal Pradesh, batch GT16375A expiring in October 2026
  • Cyproheptadine Hydrochloride Syrup (Hepsandin Syrup) from Sresan Pharmaceuticals, batch SR-086 expiring in November 2026
  • Clopidogrel and Aspirin Tablets (Clopidomed A-150) manufactured by Ikon Pharmachem in Dehradun, batch T250139, expiring in December 2026
  • Calcium and Vitamin D3 Tablets IP produced by Bangal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd., batch T572514 expiring in July 2026
  • Clopidogrel and Aspirin Tablets IP from Theon Pharmaceuticals, batch GT250375 expiring in January 2027
  • Paracetamol and Tramadol Hydrochloride Tablets (Tracet) manufactured by Chimak Healthcare, batch LBHK25001, expiring in January 2028
  • Ciprofloxacin Hydrochloride Tablets IP 500 mg (Ciprodac-500) manufactured by Cadila Pharmaceuticals, batch JKBD24080 expiring in July 2027

Authorities have urged pharmacies, hospitals and patients to immediately stop selling or consuming these medicines. The crackdown is part of Kerala’s ongoing effort to ensure drug safety and combat counterfeit pharmaceuticals across the state.