Authorities in Bengaluru have dismantled an unlicensed drug repacking unit, seizing spurious medicines, forged MNC labels, and expired products valued at nearly ₹5 crore.

  • Total seizure valued at ₹4,91,49,575 near Bidadi, Bengaluru.
  • Large quantities of CEFIAVIGENT and HIZLAM injectables seized.
  • Use of forged labels from multinational companies to sell cheap drugs at premium prices.
  • Investigation ongoing under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

In a major crackdown on the pharmaceutical black market, the Drug Enforcement Wing of the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration raided an unlicensed facility near the Bidadi toll gate in Bengaluru South. The operation led to the seizure of illicit medical supplies worth over ₹4.91 crore.

The most significant portion of the haul included 5,640 vials of CEFIAVIGENT 2.5 Injection, valued at approximately ₹3.38 crore. Health Minister U.T. Khader revealed that the facility was being used to repackage low-cost medicines and relabel them with the prestigious names of multinational pharmaceutical companies to deceive unsuspecting consumers.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that the sophistication of this operation—involving industrial injection-filling machines and forged printing materials—highlights a growing threat to global pharmaceutical integrity. When counterfeit drugs enter the supply chain, they bypass safety protocols, potentially leading to treatment failure or death.

The systematic relabeling of low-cost generics as premium MNC brands is a criminal enterprise that weaponizes public trust for profit.

Investigators discovered that many products carried non-functional QR codes, a common red flag for counterfeit goods. The seizure also included 30 boxes of expired medicines valued at ₹35 lakh, raising concerns that expired stock was being reintroduced into the active market.

Historical Background

The regulation of medicines in India is governed by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Under Section 17B, spurious drugs are strictly classified, and offenses under Section 27 can carry penalties ranging from 10 years of rigorous imprisonment to life imprisonment, reflecting the gravity of the crime.

Did You Know?: Counterfeit medicine rackets often use 'ghost' facilities like farms or warehouses to avoid the scrutiny typically applied to registered pharmaceutical manufacturing plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What was the primary method used by the criminals?
They used an unlicensed facility to repackage cheap medicines and apply forged labels of famous multinational brands.

2. What happens to the seized medicines now?
Samples have been sent for laboratory analysis, and the batch numbers have been blocked on the Karnataka FDA portal to prevent market entry.