Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Pfizer Backs Karnataka Probe, Says Patient Safety Comes First
Authorities in Karnataka are investigating medicines that may have been fake.
They say low-cost medicines were allegedly repacked and labelled as expensive medicines.
Some products reportedly carried the Pfizer brand.
Pfizer said keeping patients safe and medicines reliable is its top priority.
The company said it has been helping authorities for about a month.
It removed some batches to reduce confusion between genuine and counterfeit products.
Officials found medicines and equipment during a raid at a farmhouse near Bengaluru.
They cancelled 16 drug licences and suspended eight others.
A criminal case was registered under India’s Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
Pfizer said patient safety and product quality are its highest priorities amid Karnataka’s counterfeit-drug investigation.
The company said it has worked with authorities for about one month and supplied technical information.
Pfizer said it removed affected batches whose numbers were allegedly copied by counterfeiters.
Karnataka authorities cancelled 16 drug licences and suspended eight others over alleged spurious-medicine distribution and sales.
Officials seized drugs, machinery and printing materials worth around Rs 5.05 crore during an August 18 raid.
- Who
- Pfizer, the Karnataka Food and Drug Administration, and affected medicine retailers and wholesalers.
- What
- An investigation into the alleged repacking, relabelling, distribution and sale of counterfeit medicines.
- When
- The raid occurred on August 18; Pfizer issued its statement on Tuesday, September 22.
- Where
- A farmhouse in Kurubarakeranahalli, Bidadi, in Bengaluru South district, Karnataka.
- Why
- Authorities are investigating alleged spurious medicines, while Pfizer says it is supporting efforts to protect patients and public health.
Pfizer’s Response
Regulators’ Findings
Handling of affected batches
Pfizer’s Response
Pfizer said it removed batches whose numbers were allegedly copied by counterfeiters, helped distinguish genuine products from counterfeit ones, and cooperated with authorities.
Regulators’ Findings
The Karnataka Food and Drug Administration said an alleged unlicensed operation repacked low-cost medicines and relabelled them as expensive life-saving medicines.
Primary concern
Pfizer’s Response
Pfizer emphasized patient safety, product quality, public-health protection and confidence in the healthcare system.
Regulators’ Findings
Authorities focused on stopping the alleged distribution and sale of spurious medicines and acted against retailers and wholesalers.
- Drug licences cancelled
- 16 retailer and wholesaler licences
- Drug licences suspended
- 8 retailer and wholesaler licences
- Raid date
- August 18
- Seizure value
- Around Rs 5.05 crore
- Raid location
- Kurubarakeranahalli, Bidadi, Bengaluru South district
- Pfizer response
- Removed affected batches, supported identification of genuine and counterfeit products, and provided technical information
- Legal action
- A criminal case was registered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
