The Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration has cancelled 16 drug licences and suspended eight others following an investigation into the alleged distribution and sale of spurious medicines in the state.
The action follows an August 18 raid by the FDA's Drug Enforcement Wing at a farmhouse in Kurubarakeranahalli, Bidadi, in Bengaluru South district, where officials allegedly uncovered an unlicensed pharmaceutical repacking and relabelling operation.
According to the FDA, medicines procured at low cost from neighbouring states were allegedly repackaged and relabelled as expensive life-saving medicines associated with multinational pharmaceutical companies. Products purportedly carrying the Pfizer brand were among those seized.
Officials said the raid resulted in the seizure of medicines, machinery and printing materials valued at around Rs 5.05 crore, with the inventory of seized material estimated at Rs 4.91 crore.
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The counterfeit labels reportedly included QR and scanning codes that did not work when checked.
The department said 30 boxes of expired medicines were also recovered, raising concerns over their possible re-entry into the pharmaceutical supply chain.
A criminal case has been registered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The FDA said offences involving spurious drugs can attract stringent penalties under the law.
As the investigation continues, the batch numbers and details of the seized medicines are being blocked on the Karnataka FDA portal to prevent further distribution. Samples have also been sent for laboratory testing to determine their chemical composition, sterility and potency.
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The licence of M/s Pfizer C & F Depot in Nelamangala has also been suspended, according to the FDA, citing alleged non-cooperation with the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe.
The SIT, comprising officials from the Drug Department, police, and the Commercial Tax Department, is investigating the alleged supply chain and identifying other individuals involved.
Health Minister U T Khader said stringent action would be taken against those found involved based on the SIT's findings.
(With PTI Inputs)
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