Adulteration of drugs

What amounts to Adulteration of Drugs

Anyone who adulterates any drug or medical preparation in such a manner as to lessen its efficacy or change the operation, or makes it noxious, knowing that it shall be sold or used for any medicinal purpose, as if it had not gone undergone any adulteration, is said to cause adulteration. It is sufficient if the efficacy of a drug is lessened, it need not necessarily become noxious to life.

Punishment

Whoever causes adulteration of the drugs shall be punished with imprisonment, which may extend to six month, or with fine, which may extend to one thousand rupees, or both.

What amounts to Sale of adulterated drugs

Any person knowing that the drug or the medical preparation has been adulterated, sells the same or offers it for sale, or issues it from any dispensary, or causes it to be used for medicinal purposes by any person not knowing the adulteration, is said to sell, or offer, or issue from any dispensary an adulterated drug as unadulterated.

Punishment

Whoever sells adulterated drugs shall be punished with imprisonment, which may extend to six month, or with fine, which may extend to one thousand rupees, or both.

It may be observed that making as well as selling adulterated drugs are two separated crimes. Even if you have not manufactured the drugs but are only selling them you are liable to be punished for the same.