Fake cancer drugs racket busted in Karnataka: 16 licences cancelled, 8 suspended

Bengaluru:The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration has taken action against 24 firms following the discovery of an alleged spurious medicine network operating from a farmhouse near Bidadi, on the outskirts of Bengaluru.

According to officials, licences of 16 firms have been cancelled, while those of eight firms have been suspended over alleged violations. The action covers retail pharmacies and wholesalers.

Authorities had seized spurious medicines, packaging material and equipment worth more than ₹5 crore during the investigation. Earlier reports put the value of the seized material at around ₹4.91 crore, while subsequent official accounts referred to the seizure as exceeding ₹5 crore.

Low-cost medicines allegedly repackaged as expensive drugs

The preliminary investigation indicated that low-cost medicines sourced from other states were allegedly brought to Karnataka, refilled into new vials and given labels designed to resemble expensive multinational and imported medicines.

Officials also found forged labels and packaging equipment at the premises. A previous report said counterfeit labels carrying QR codes were also recovered, with the codes reportedly failing verification.

One of the major concerns involved medicines presented as critical-care or cancer-related drugs. A report by The New Indian Express said 5,640 vials of Cefiavigent 2.5 injection, valued at ₹3.38 crore, formed a substantial portion of the seizure.

Pfizer depot transactions stopped

The Karnataka Drugs Control Department has also stopped business transactions at Pfizer's C&F depot in Nelamangala until further orders, according to Additional Drug Controller Dr Umesh S.

Officials said the action was taken because some of the seized spurious medicines carried Pfizer labels. The department said the company had not identified its genuine products in the market for the purpose of distinguishing them from suspected counterfeit products.

The department said the company's drug stocks had not been seized. Products have instead been frozen pending identification and further action.

SIT investigating wider network

The Karnataka government has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the racket and trace its supply chain. The preliminary investigation indicated that the network may have links to other states.

Police had earlier arrested four people in connection with the case. Investigators are examining the suspected supply chain, invoices and other records to identify additional people linked to the operation.

Health Minister U T Khader has also sought central assistance in the investigation, including the deputation of a central drug surveillance officer.

Criminal case registered

A criminal case has been registered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Authorities said the provisions invoked in the case can carry stringent imprisonment and fines.

Officials are also documenting the seized medicines, machinery and printing materials for production before the appropriate court.

The Karnataka drug authorities have advised people to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and to obtain proper tax invoices.

Consumers have also been advised to be cautious about suspicious packaging, labels and QR codes, particularly when purchasing expensive or life-saving medicines.

The investigation remains ongoing, and the precise extent of the alleged network and the number of products affected are yet to be established.

The Bidadi investigation concerns medicines that were allegedly repackaged and relabelled to resemble expensive branded or imported products. If confirmed, such practices can create risks for patients because the identity, quality, composition and expiry status of the medicine may not match what is stated on the packaging.

The case has also prompted wider scrutiny because investigators suspect an interstate supply network. Karnataka has already formed an SIT, while the state government has sought assistance from central drug authorities.

For patients, the immediate issue is product verification. Authorities have said suspected batches have been blocked and that the seized medicines are being investigated. The wider investigation will determine how the products entered the supply chain, where they were distributed and who was responsible.