Mumbai: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) conducted a significant raid on the warehouse of Ayurvedic medicine company Gynoveda Femtech Pvt. Ltd., endorsed by actress Taapsee Pannu, in Bhiwandi on September 13.
The raid revealed that the company was violating provisions of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, leading to the seizure of medicines worth ₹6.08 lakh.
Gynoveda, a company specializing in menstrual health products for women, had earlier named actress Taapsee Pannu as its brand ambassador in 2022 to increase its visibility among consumers.
However, the FDA’s inspection found that Gynoveda's packaging made objectionable claims, including assertions about curing various ailments such as hypertension and diabetes.
These claims are strictly prohibited under the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act, which prevents the advertisement of cures for 56 specified diseases.
In addition to this violation, it was discovered that many of the company’s medicine bottles did not contain critical information such as batch numbers and expiry dates, which are mandatory for all pharmaceutical products. This oversight led the FDA to ban the distribution of medicines worth ₹3.62 crore, which will remain in effect until proper labeling is ensured.
The raid was carried out under the leadership of FDA Commissioner Dadaji Gahane, with key assistance from Joint Commissioner (Vigilance) Dr. Rahul Khade and Assistant Commissioner (Intelligence) V.R. Ravi. Drug inspectors from Thane and Mumbai divisions, including Prashant Brahmankar and Shashikant Yadav, were also instrumental in the operation.
The FDA is currently investigating the seized and banned medicines, and once the probe is completed, legal proceedings will be initiated against the company for violating regulatory laws.
The administration has emphasized the importance of adhering to proper labeling and advertising standards to ensure public safety, especially in the pharmaceutical sector.
