Karnataka Cancels Licences of 16 Firms in Fake Drug Network Probe
FDA cancels 16 licences and suspends eight others after raid uncovers fake medicines worth ₹5.05 crore near Bidadi
Bengaluru: Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drugs Administration has cancelled the licences of 16 pharmaceutical companies and drug firms following an investigation into an alleged network involved in the manufacture and sale of counterfeit medicines near Bidadi.
The department has also suspended eight other licences, including the wholesale licence of multinational pharmaceutical company Pfizer Ltd, in connection with the case.
The action follows a raid conducted by FDA officials on August 18 at an allegedly illegal and unlicensed manufacturing facility in Grubrakirenahalli near Bidadi. Officials reportedly seized counterfeit medicines, machinery, packaging material and fake labels worth around ₹5.05 crore.
According to the preliminary investigation, medicines sourced at lower prices from neighbouring states were allegedly repackaged and supplied with counterfeit labels of well known pharmaceutical brands, including Pfizer. The products were reportedly sold at higher prices in the market.
The 16 firms whose licences have been cancelled include Avisco Healthcare, Bangalore Specialty Pharma, Patel Meditrade, Raj Rajeshwari Pharma, NS Pharma and St Philomena Hospital Drug Centre, among others.
The department has also suspended the licences of eight establishments, including Pfizer Ltd’s wholesale licence in Nelamangala, Bengaluru Rural, as well as Med Pharma and Vuvanthaa Pharmaceuticals.
Authorities have blocked the batch numbers of the suspected medicines on the relevant portal to prevent their further sale and distribution. Samples have also been sent for laboratory testing to determine their contents and authenticity.
The FDA warned that counterfeit medicines may not contain the required active ingredients and could pose serious risks to public health.
A case has been registered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. A Special Investigation Team has also been formed to conduct a wider investigation and trace the alleged supply chain involved in the distribution of the medicines.
The department has advised the public to purchase medicines only from verified and licensed medical stores and to insist on a proper bill for every purchase.