Karnataka Cracks Down on Fake Medicines

Karnataka’s Food and Drug Administration has intensified action against a suspected counterfeit medicine network. Authorities cancelled the drug licences of 16 retailers and wholesalers for alleged violations and suspended eight other licences. The action follows an August 18 raid at a farmhouse in the Bidadi-Dodderi area of Bengaluru South, where officials seized suspected counterfeit and expired medicines, along with packaging material, equipment and other items. The seized stock was estimated to be worth around ₹5 crore.

According to investigators, the suspected network allegedly sourced medicines at lower prices from other states and repackaged or relabelled them for sale under different names. Fake labels resembling those of reputed pharmaceutical companies were also reportedly found. Authorities have sent medicine samples for laboratory examination as part of the investigation. The probe has also expanded to multiple locations and states as officials work to establish the extent of the suspected supply network.