Introduction  

Adulteration is the act of making food or drugs of poor quality by adding some other substances to them. 

A drug or device shall be deemed to be adulterated if it is a drug and any substance has been (I) mixed or packed with it so as to reduce its quality or strength or (ii) substituted wholly or in part for it. 

Legal Provision  

Section 274: 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.