Nearly a year ago, the Federation of Gujarat Chemists and Druggists Associations along with the drug inspector, had conducted a raid at the Ravivari Bazaar in Ahmedabad and seized a huge consignment of expired drugs.

Jaswant Patel, president of the Federation, admitted that expired drugs easily make their way to the flea markets and even open markets. “If the government gives attention to this serious issue, it would open a Pandora’s Box. There are all chances that these medicines are used in hooch as most of the drugs have some or the other compounds, which can add ‘punch’ to the country-made liquor. The issue of expired drugs is purely between the stockist and the drug manufacturing companies,” he added.

Surprisingly, the police have no clue about the availability of the tablets in flea markets. “The Health Department is there to monitor these. How do we know what these medicines are and why they are being sold in Shukravari Bazaar,” said an officer at the Fatehpura police chowky falling in the city police station jurisdiction.