Mumbai: Pharmacist Arrested After Selling Wrong Medicine That Killed 64-Year-Old Parel Man
A 24-year-old pharmacist at Bharatiya Generic Aushadhe in Parel was arrested and released on bail after dispensing Methotrexate 7.5 instead of an antidepressant, leading to the death of 64-year-old Janardan Doiphode. The FDA seized the pharmacy's stock and sales records as Bhoiwada police continue their probe into the fatal dispensing error outside KEM Hospital.
The Bhoiwada police on Tuesday, September 29, arrested the pharmacist, booked for selling a wrong medicine believing it to be an antidepressant, following the death of the 64-year-old Parel man who had unknowingly taken the medicine for 15 days. The pharmacist was released on bail the same day, cops said on Wednesday, September 30, while an investigation into the fatal dispensing error remains underway.
Janardan Doiphode, who was hospitalised at KEM hospital in Parel along with his 54-year-old wife, died on Saturday, September 26, Mid Day reported. The doctors discharged the wife on Tuesday evening and asked the family to keep a close eye on her health as she recovers from the toxic exposure. Who Was Pradeep Purnekar? Shiv Sena (UBT) Leader Shot Dead Outside His Office in Thane’s Manpada.
Fatal Mix-Up at Parel Pharmacy, Man Dies After Given Wrong Medicine
Mangya Gawde, the 24-year-old pharmacist, worked at Bharatiya Generic Aushadhe, located in front of KEM hospital, in Parel. When the wife went there to buy the antidepressant, Gawde handed her Methotrexate 7.5, which is used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
Family Expresses Anguish Over Negligence
The prolonged intake of the incorrect medication caused severe health complications, requiring both husband and wife to be admitted to the intensive care unit at KEM Hospital. Janardan Doiphode succumbed during treatment over the weekend.
“I have lost my pillar of support due to someone else's mistake. The system would do everything now. But is there any way to bring my father back? How will I live with this trauma now?” asked the grieving son, Ninad Doiphode.
FDA Seizes Stock as Police Pursue Investigation
Officials of the Food and Drugs Administration, Maharashtra, visited Bharatiya Generic Aushadhe after the FIR was filed and seized the whole batch of Methotrexate 7.5 and its order and sale invoices. The FDA would ensure that Methotrexate 7.5, a scheduled drug, is not sold over-the-counter and there is proper record of its sale at the shop.
Bhoiwada police had initially booked Gawde under Section 338 (causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others) for issuing wrong medicine. Following Doiphode’s death, police officials stated they are examining the post-mortem report and viscera analysis to add more stringent provisions to the case.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 30, 2026 07:29 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
