AMARAVATI, Sept. 15, 2026: Inspections conducted at 100 medical shops across Andhra Pradesh have uncovered violations at 55 outlets, including irregularities in the purchase and sale of tramadol and other medicines subject to stringent regulatory controls, officials said Tuesday.
Of the 55 violations, 53 were classified as minor. In two cases, in Krishna and NTR districts, officials found evidence of large-scale purchases and sales of medicines without corresponding bills. Purchase documents were seized as part of the investigation.
The inspections were ordered by Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav following information received by the government and were conducted under the supervision of Arun Babu, director general of the Drug Control Administration. Officials subsequently submitted a report to the minister on the findings.
Jangareddygudem Investigation Triggers Statewide Checks
The statewide operation followed the discovery of a large number of empty and broken injection vials and used syringes in an oil-palm plantation in Jeelugumilli village. Jangareddygudem Drugs Inspector P. Mallikarjun inspected the site and identified the discarded vials as tramadol injections sold under the brands Tramodex and Tramec.
Tramadol is a prescription painkiller used to treat severe pain. Because of its psychoactive effects, however, the drug can be misused as an alternative to illicit substances. Its sale is therefore subject to prescription and record-keeping requirements.
Officials said their investigation indicated that some medical-shop operators, allegedly working through intermediaries, had been selling tramadol without proper bills and maintaining inadequate records.
Thousands of Injections Traced
The Drug Control Administration examined distribution data from tramadol manufacturers covering Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. The review identified unusually large purchases by several medical shops in and around Jangareddygudem, prompting inspections of Sri Lakshmi Srinivasa Medical Agency and D. Roopa Peddinti Medical Agency.
Sri Lakshmi Srinivasa Medical Agency was found to have purchased 20,000 tramadol injections through two bills this year. Investigators said the agency failed to produce corresponding sales bills or stock records. During the inquiry, officials learned that four boxes of Tramodex injections had allegedly been stored at a friend's carpentry shop.
A search of the premises resulted in the seizure of 7,550 injections, officials said. The investigation indicated that the injections had been supplied to medical shops and individuals in Jangareddygudem, Medyanapu Varigudem, Vegavaram, Kukunoor and other areas.
Fake Bills Used in Another Case
In a separate case, D. Roopa Peddinti Medical Agency was found to have purchased 5,200 Tramec injections over the previous two years. Records showed that 3,930 injections had been sold to a medical shop in Telangana. Telangana authorities, however, determined that the transaction was fictitious.
Investigators found that fake bills had allegedly been created to show the sale, while the medicines were actually supplied to other shops without proper invoices. Following a complaint by the Drug Control Administration, Jangareddygudem police arrested five people, including medical-shop owners and an employee. They were subsequently remanded to custody.
Licences Face Cancellation
The Drug Control Administration is preparing further action against establishments involved in the alleged irregular transactions. Officials said steps were being taken to cancel the licences of medical shops found to have engaged in large-scale violations.
Arun Babu said strict legal action would be taken against those illegally transporting tramadol or other tightly regulated medicines, storing them without authorisation or selling them without proper documentation. The department will continue coordinating with police and other enforcement agencies, with further action to follow based on examination of records and evidence, he said.
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