Health · Pharma & Biotech · 4 hrs ago
Turkey detains 22 in probe into expired cancer medicines
Turkish authorities detained 22 people in an investigation into the alleged sale of expired cancer medicines.
The investigation is led by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office and involves operations across 11 provinces, led from Istanbul.
Authorities say the medicines’ packaging and boxes were changed so the expired products could be put back on the market and sold in Turkey and abroad.
Investigators identified 24 suspects, including three public employees, along with four companies and five workplaces.
Financial checks found a transaction volume of about 650 million Turkish lira that investigators said did not match the declared business activities.
Authorities seized assets and bank accounts believed to be linked to the suspected crimes, while efforts to locate two suspects continue.
Authorities detained 22 people in an investigation into allegations that expired cancer medicines were repackaged and put back on the market.
The operation covered 11 provinces, with Istanbul as its base.
Officials said investigators identified 24 suspects, including three public officials, as well as four companies and five business premises.
Financial reviews found the suspects’ and companies’ transactions totaled about 650 million Turkish lira and did not match their declared commercial activities.
Authorities said they seized assets and bank accounts believed to be linked to proceeds of crime, while efforts to locate two suspects continued.
- Who
- Turkish authorities detained 22 suspects. Investigators identified 24 suspects, including three public officials.
- What
- The investigation concerns allegations that expired cancer medicines were repackaged and put back on the market for sale.
- When
- The operation was announced on November 2, 2026.
- Where
- It took place in 11 provinces, with Istanbul as its base.
- Why
- Authorities are investigating alleged efforts to sell expired cancer medicines after changing their packaging and boxes.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Turkish media reported that authorities had conducted a coordinated operation in 11 provinces.
Authorities said 22 suspects had been detained and efforts to locate two others were continuing.
- Detained
- 22 suspects
- Suspects identified
- 24, including three public officials
- Operation area
- 11 provinces, centered on Istanbul
- Transaction volume
- About 650 million Turkish lira
- Companies and premises
- Four companies and five business premises
2 sources
What people are saying
We will not tolerate those who endanger our patients’ lives and turn their hope for a cure into a source of unjust profit!
We will continue our determined fight against organizations that endanger human life, disregard the treatment safety of our patients fighting cancer, and seek unjust profit through irregularities.
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HASTALARIMIZIN HAYATINI TEHLİKEYE ATAN, ŞİFA UMUDUNU HAKSIZ KAZANÇ KAPISINA DÖNÜŞTÜRENLERE MÜSAMAHA GÖSTERMEYECEĞİZ! İnsan hayatını tehlikeye atan, kanserle mücadele eden hastalarımızın tedavi güvenliğini hiçe sayan ve usulsüzlüklerle haksız kazanç sağlamaya çalışan