India, May 30 -- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Maharashtra, has launched a statewide crackdown on misleading drug advertisements and misbranded medicines, seizing products worth more than Rs.73.24 lakh across seven regions.

The action was carried out on Friday as per the provisions of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, against manufacturers and sellers allegedly promoting medicines through misleading claims and advertisements.

Following directions from FDA commissioner Tukaram Munde, FDA officials launched the drive simultaneously in Pune, Mumbai, Konkan, Nashik, Amravati, Nagpur and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar divisions. The directions were issued by commissioner Mundhe on May 25.

The admini...