Bengaluru, Sep 21: Karnataka health authorities have warned consumers to scrutinise medicine packaging and QR codes after an alleged fake-drug operation uncovered spurious medicines and an unlicensed repacking and relabelling facility in Bidadi, prompting action against drug licences, including that of a Pfizer C&F depot.
The Health Department has advised people to buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies and against valid tax invoices. Consumers have also been asked to report suspicious packaging, altered labels or QR codes that fail to scan to Drug Enforcement authorities.
The action follows an August 18 raid by the Drug Enforcement Wing of the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) at a farmhouse in Kurubarakeranahalli, Bidadi, in Bengaluru South district. Authorities said the operation allegedly uncovered an unlicensed pharmaceutical repacking and relabelling racket.
Spurious drugs, machinery and printing materials estimated at Rs 5.05 crore were seized during the operation, while the inventory value of the seized materials was estimated at Rs 4.91 crore.
Preliminary investigation found that low-cost medicines procured from neighbouring states were allegedly repacked into new vials and given labels designed to resemble expensive life-saving medicines sold by multinational companies, including products purportedly carrying the Pfizer brand.
Officials also found QR and scanning codes on the suspected counterfeit labels that reportedly failed to function when checked. Authorities suspect that the seized products may contain no active medicinal ingredients, incorrect ingredients or potentially harmful substances.
A criminal case has been registered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, with provisions concerning spurious drugs invoked by the department. Further investigation is focused on tracing the wider supply chain across six states.
The department has so far cancelled 16 drug licences and suspended eight others as part of its investigation into retailers and wholesalers allegedly involved in the distribution and sale of spurious medicines. The licence of M/s Pfizer C&F Depot at Kempalinganahalli in Nelamangala Taluk, Bengaluru Rural district, has also been suspended.
Authorities have blocked the batch numbers and entries of the seized medicines on the Karnataka FDA portal to prevent their further sale or distribution. Samples have been sent to laboratories to determine their chemical composition, sterility and potency.
The seized medicines, machinery and printing materials will be produced before the JMFC Court, Bengaluru South, as part of the legal proceedings. A Special Investigation Team is continuing the probe to identify and trace other persons allegedly involved in the racket and its supply chain.
