Archive · 8 Oct 2026
SIT Tracks 15,000 Suspected Fake Antibiotic Vials in Karnataka
Investigators in Karnataka are looking into a suspected fake-medicine operation.
They say about 15,000 vials of two antibiotics may have been distributed.
The medicines were allegedly made with generic drugs and presented as genuine Pfizer products using company labels.
The antibiotics are used for serious bacterial infections.
Lab tests have not yet confirmed what was inside the seized medicines.
Investigators are tracing where the vials were made, sold and sent.
Reported supply links include Hyderabad, Chennai and Uttarakhand.
Police suspect the operation may have made more than ₹10 crore, but the exact amount is not confirmed.
They say they have found no evidence linking this case to fake cancer medicines.
Karnataka's Special Investigation Team says about 15,000 suspected counterfeit antibiotic vials were distributed over the past one-and-a-half years.
The medicines under investigation are Zavicefta and Emblaveo, prescription antibiotics for serious bacterial infections.
Investigators allege generic medicines were placed in vials bearing Pfizer labels; laboratory tests are pending to establish the seized medicines' composition.
Police are tracing the supply chain and possible recipients, with reported links to Hyderabad, Chennai and Uttarakhand.
Police suspect profits may have exceeded ₹10 crore; they say there is currently no evidence connecting the racket to counterfeit cancer medicines.
- Who
- The Karnataka Special Investigation Team is investigating an alleged counterfeit medicine racket and its accused members.
- What
- About 15,000 suspected counterfeit vials of Zavicefta and Emblaveo were reportedly distributed.
- When
- The suspected network is said to have operated since April 2025; officials described distribution over the past one-and-a-half years.
- Where
- The investigation is in Karnataka, with alleged supply links involving Hyderabad, Chennai and Uttarakhand.
- Why
- Investigators allege generic medicines were sold as branded products using Pfizer labels; police suspect this generated substantial profits.
Investigators' allegations
What remains unconfirmed
Whether the vials were counterfeit
Investigators' allegations
Investigators allege generic medicines were put into vials and passed off as genuine Pfizer products using company labels.
What remains unconfirmed
Laboratory reports are still awaited to determine the chemical composition of the seized medicines.
Scale and proceeds
Investigators' allegations
Officials say around 15,000 suspected vials were distributed, and police suspect profits exceeded ₹10 crore in recent months.
What remains unconfirmed
The report presents these as estimates and suspicions; investigators are still mapping quantities purchased, made, stocked, sold and distributed.
- Suspected quantity distributed
- Around 15,000 vials
- Medicines under scrutiny
- Zavicefta and Emblaveo
- Suspected operating period
- Since April 2025, according to investigators
- Zavicefta reported price
- Around ₹5,500–₹6,000 per vial
- Emblaveo reported price
- Around ₹6,000–₹6,500 per vial
- Suspected profits
- Police suspect more than ₹10 crore in recent months
- Reported supply links
- Hyderabad, Chennai and Uttarakhand
- Lab results
- Awaited to determine the seized medicines' chemical composition