Karnataka FDA cracks down on fake drug rackets: 24 licenses hit, ₹5 cr stock seized – What did it find during the raid? | Today’s news
The Karnataka Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Sunday announced action against retailers and wholesalers allegedly involved in the distribution of counterfeit drugs, canceling 16 drug licenses and suspending eight others.
The action came after the FDA’s Drug Enforcement Wing raided a farm in Kurubarakeranahalli, Bidadi, Bengaluru South district on August 18. Officials said the operation uncovered an alleged illegal facility involved in repackaging and rebranding pharmaceutical products without a license, according to PTI.
During the inspection, authorities seized suspected counterfeit drugs along with equipment and printing materials, with the seized stock valued at around ₹5.05 million crowns. The inventory value of the seized material was estimated at ₹4.91 million.
According to the ministry, an initial investigation found that cheap drugs originating from neighboring states were allegedly repackaged into fresh bottles and marketed under labels suggesting they were expensive life-saving drugs manufactured by multinational pharmaceutical companies.
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The investigation also found products allegedly bearing the ‘Pfizer’ brand, the department said in a statement.
Fake labels and inactive QR codes have been found
The counterfeit packaging found during the operation also contained QR and scan codes. However, officials found that the codes did not work during the inspection, the department said.
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The FDA has warned that seized drugs can have serious consequences for public health. Counterfeit medicines must not contain any active pharmaceutical ingredients, incorrect substances or ingredients that could be potentially harmful to the consumer.
Case registered under the Medicines and Cosmetics Act
Criminal proceedings were initiated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940.
Under Section 17B of the Act, counterfeit or misrepresented medicines are treated as counterfeit drugs. The manufacture, sale, storage or distribution of such drugs is punishable under Section 27, which provides for severe penalties including severe imprisonment and fines.
As investigations continue, the Karnataka FDA has taken action against retailers and wholesalers suspected of being involved in the sale and distribution of alleged spurious drugs. The ministry said 16 drug licenses were revoked and eight others were suspended.
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The license of M/s Pfizer C & F Depot, situated at Survey No. 66/3 B2 at Kempalinganahalli, Nelamangala taluk of Bengaluru Rural District, was also suspended. According to the ministry, the action was allegedly linked to alleged non-cooperation with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the case.
The investigation also led to the seizure of 30 boxes of expired medication, raising concerns that such products may have been recirculated through the supply chain.
Seized drugs sent for laboratory tests
Karnataka FDA blocks batch numbers and other details of seized drugs on its portal to stop their resale or distribution. Samples were also sent for laboratory testing to determine their chemical composition, sterility and efficacy.
The authorities are documenting the seized medicines, machinery and printing materials and will produce them before the JMFC court in Bengaluru South as part of further legal proceedings.
The SIT has expanded its investigation to trace the alleged supply network and identify other persons who may have been involved in the operation, officials said.
The FDA advises consumers to purchase drugs only from licensed pharmacies and insist on valid tax invoices. She also urged people to report suspicious changes to drug packaging or QR codes that don’t work to drug enforcement agencies.
Karnataka Minister UT Khader warns of strict action in case of fake medicine
Karnataka Health Minister UT Khader said the authorities will take strict action against those found involved in the alleged fake drug network after the SIT submits its findings, according to PTI.
“Department officials have identified a large-scale network of fake drugs or mafia. When we came to know about the involvement of individuals from other states, we have formed an SIT comprising personnel from the anti-narcotics department, the police and the commercial tax department and the investigation is on. I would not like to comment further now,” he told reporters.
Khader also said that some government officials have been suspended in connection with the case. He added that the drug licenses of retailers and wholesalers allegedly involved in the sale and distribution of counterfeit medicines have been canceled or suspended.
The minister further said that action has been taken against Pfizer for its alleged non-cooperation in the SIT investigation.
