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BNS, 2023
Start Practicing
BNSChapter XVSection 277
Section277

Sale of adulterated drugs

AI Assist

Summary

Knowingly selling, offering, exposing for sale, or issuing from a dispensary any drug that is adulterated so as to lessen its efficacy, change its operation, or make it noxious, or causing its medicinal use by someone unaware, is an offence. Punishment may be imprisonment up to six months, or a fine up to five thousand rupees, or both. The offence is non-cognizable, bailable and triable by any magistrate.

Example

Ravi runs a small dispensary and knows a batch of cough syrup is diluted, yet issues it to patients as genuine. He can face up to six months' imprisonment, or a fine up to Rs 5,000, or both under this provision.

Bare Act

Enacted text

Whoever, knowing any drug or medical preparation to have been adulterated in such a manner as to lessen its efficacy, to change its operation, or to render it noxious, sells the same, or offers or exposes it for sale, or issues it from any dispensary for medicinal purposes as unadulterated, or causes it to be used for medicinal purposes by any person not knowing of the adulteration, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.

BNSS Classification

  • Imprisonment for 6 months, or fine of 5,000 rupees, or both.
  • Non-cognizable
  • Bailable
  • Triable by Any Magistrate.
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XV

Chapter XV

Of Offences Affecting The Public Health, Safety, Convenience, Decency And Morals

In this chapter

  • 270Public nuisance
  • 271Negligent act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
  • 272Malignant act likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life
  • 273Disobedience to quarantine rule
  • 274Adulteration of food or drink intended for sale
  • 275Sale of noxious food or drink
  • 276Adulteration of drugs
  • 277Sale of adulterated drugs
  • 278Sale of drug as a different drug or preparation
  • 279Fouling water of public spring or reservoir
  • 280Making atmosphere noxious to health
  • 281Rash driving or riding on a public way
  • 282Rash navigation of vessel
  • 283Exhibition of false light, mark or buoy
  • 284Conveying person by water for hire in unsafe or overloaded vessel
  • 285Danger or obstruction in public way or line of navigation
  • 286Negligent conduct with respect to poisonous substance
  • 287Negligent conduct with respect to fire or combustible matter
  • 288Negligent conduct with respect to explosive substance
  • 289Negligent conduct with respect to machinery
  • 290Negligent conduct with respect to pulling down, repairing or constructing buildings etc
  • 291Negligent conduct with respect to animal
  • 292Punishment for public nuisance in cases not otherwise provided for
  • 293Continuance of nuisance after injunction to discontinue
  • 294Sale, etc., of obscene books, etc
  • 295Sale, etc., of obscene objects to child
  • 296Obscene acts and songs
  • 297Keeping lottery office
Previous · Section 276Adulteration of drugsNext · Section 278Sale of drug as a different drug or preparation