Pune, 7th October 2026: The Maharashtra Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cancelled the drug sale and distribution licences of three Cadila Pharmaceuticals Limited warehouses in Pune, Thane and Nagpur after finding violations related to the sale of medicines with similar brand names but different active ingredients.
The action concerns Aciloc 150 and Aciloc 150+, both marketed for acidity-related conditions. While Aciloc 150 contains ranitidine 150 mg, Aciloc 150+ contains famotidine 20 mg. FDA officials said the similarity in the brand names could mislead pharmacists and patients and increase the risk of the wrong medicine being supplied.
The FDA investigation found that the company supplied famotidine when retailers had sought ranitidine. The authorities also found that the company had continued selling the medicines in Maharashtra despite regulatory action taken in Gujarat.
The Gujarat Food and Drug Control Administration cancelled the manufacturing licences for the medicines on June 2.
According to the Maharashtra FDA, Cadila did not disclose this information to the state regulator and continued distribution.
Inspections of the company’s warehouses also found that inspection registers were not maintained and medicines were sold in the absence of an authorised competent person.
In July, the Maharashtra FDA had stopped the sale of the drug stock at Cadila warehouses in Vadki in Pune, Bhiwandi in Thane and Nimji in Nagpur.
Cadila subsequently approached the High Court against the action. The court gave the company an opportunity to explain its position. However, the FDA found the explanation unsatisfactory and cancelled the sale and distribution licences under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945.
Maharashtra FDA Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe said medicines containing different active ingredients should not have brand names that can create confusion among patients.
He said ensuring the safe and accurate use of medicines is the responsibility of manufacturers. Patients should also check the generic name and dosage mentioned on the medicine label before taking any drug.
