As dud drugs scam spreads, Tamil Nadu mulls CBI probe

CHENNAI - With spurious and expired drugs being seized from pharmaceutical dealers in Tamil Nadu over the past few days, Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi Tuesday said the state government will seek a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe if such drugs are also found in other states.

Replying to the special call attention motion in the assembly on the issue, he said the investigation into the case has been transferred to the state police’s crime branch as it was found the case has links to several cities in the state as well as connections outside the state.

“If it is found such spurious and fake drug sales are happening in other states, we will not hesitate to ask of a CBI investigation in the case,” Karunanidhi said.

He urged the media to be cautious while reporting about the case so that panic is not created in the minds of the people.

Members belonging to various political parties participated in the debate.

There are 539 drug units in Tamil Nadu and 42,500 retail and wholesale drug trades. In the last few days, state police and health authorities raided pharmaceutical shops and dealers and seized a large quantities of expired drugs.

Fearing prosecution, many dealers and drug retailers are dumping the expired drugs on the roads across the state.

Meanwhile, Meenakshi Sundaram, promoter of Meena Healthcare, and the prime suspect in the recirculation of the expired drugs, has surrendered.

The crime branch has set up special teams to deal with the case.