2 weeks ago
Karnataka FDA Seizes Alleged Fake Drugs Worth Rs 4.91 Crore
Karnataka officials found a farmhouse that they say was being used to change the labels on medicines.
Cheaper medicines were allegedly put into new vials and made to look like costly brands.
Officials said some medicines could be fake or contain the wrong ingredients.
They also found expired medicines, machines, bottles, caps and fake labels.
The seized items were estimated to be worth about Rs 4.91 crore.
The scanning codes on some labels did not work.
The medicines are being tested to check their contents, cleanliness and strength.
Police and drug officials are investigating, and the medicines cannot be sold while the case is examined.
Karnataka FDA officials seized medicines and equipment valued at Rs 4,91,49,575 from an alleged unlicensed facility in Bidadi.
Officials allege that lower-cost medicines were filled into new vials and relabelled as expensive multinational or imported brands.
The seizure included 5,640 Cefiavigent vials, 1,531 Hizlam injectables, 470 Xavitaz vials, 264 Emblaveo vials and other medicines.
Authorities also found 30 boxes of expired medicines, forged labels, non-functional scanning codes, packaging materials and injection-filling machinery.
Samples were sent for testing, seized batches were blocked on the Karnataka FDA portal, and a police complaint was filed at Tavarekere Police Station.
- Who
- The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration’s Drug Enforcement Wing, assisted by police, conducted the inspection.
- What
- Officials seized alleged spurious and expired medicines, machinery, packaging materials and forged labels valued at Rs 4,91,49,575.
- Where
- An alleged repacking facility at a farmhouse in Kurubarakerana Halli, Bidadi, Bengaluru South district.
- When
- The inspection followed a tip-off received on August 18, and officials announced the seizure on Wednesday.
- Why
- Officials allege that lower-cost medicines were being repacked and relabelled as premium or imported brands without a valid licence.
Key facts
- Estimated seizure value
- Rs 4,91,49,575, described in one headline as approximately Rs 5 crore
- Location
- Farmhouse at No. 34, Kurubarakerana Halli, Bidadi, Bengaluru South district
- Largest seizure
- 5,640 vials of Cefiavigent 2.5 Injection, valued at Rs 3.38 crore
- Other major medicines
- 1,531 Hizlam injectables, 470 Xavitaz vials, 264 Emblaveo vials and 165 Zavicefta vials
- Expired stock
- Thirty boxes of expired medicines estimated at Rs 35 lakh
- Applicable law
- Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, including provisions concerning spurious drugs and unlicensed manufacture, storage and distribution
- Investigation status
- Samples were sent for laboratory testing, batches were blocked on the Karnataka FDA portal, and a complaint was filed at Tavarekere Police Station
Quotes
Commissioner Srinivas K
Karnataka FDA Commissioner
“The medicines being spurious contain no active medicine, the wrong ingredients, or harmful substances. The scanning codes were non-functional on the labels used for this purpose,”
deccanchronicle.com
“"This is said to be a nation wide network. Medicines were allegedly brought from Himachal Pradesh and Telangana and relabelled with MBC companies label."”
NDTV
Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration
State drug regulatory agency
“A police complaint has been lodged with the Tavarekere Police Station. Law enforcement and regulatory officials are working together to complete the investigation and initiate prosecution against the responsible parties,”
deccanchronicle.com
“By re-labelling generic or lower-cost drugs as premium brands, the perpetrators created significant risks regarding the authenticity and safety of the medication provided to patients,”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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