LUCKNOW, Jan. 7 -- The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has ordered a statewide physical verification of all licensed wholesale drug establishments and warehouses following a recent crackdown that detected bogus and non-functional firms, some allegedly linked to the misuse of codeine-based cough syrups and narcotic medicines, officials said.

FSDA Commissioner Roshan Jacob has instructed all assistant commissioners (drugs) and drug inspectors to begin the verification drive across the state from February 2026. The move follows a two-month enforcement drive during which authorities found that several licensed firms were not operating from their registered addresses.

"The decision follows enforcement drives during w...