Karnataka FDA Cracks Down on Counterfeit Drug Syndicate: 24 Licences Suspended or Cancelled

BENGALURU: The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FDA) has launched a massive regulatory crackdown following the exposure of a sophisticated counterfeit medicine racket operating near Bidadi. In a decisive move to secure the state’s pharmaceutical supply chain, authorities have cancelled 16 drug licences and suspended eight others, including the wholesale operations of global pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Ltd.

The Bidadi Raid: Unearthing a Multi-Crore Scam

The investigation was triggered on August 18 when the Drug Enforcement Wing conducted a raid on an unlicensed facility in Kurubarakeranahalli. What officials uncovered was a large-scale operation designed to mimic high-end, life-saving medications. The raid resulted in the seizure of drugs, sophisticated packaging machinery, and counterfeit labelling materials with an estimated market value of ₹5.05 crore.

According to preliminary reports, the perpetrators were procuring low-cost medications from neighbouring states. These drugs were then transferred into new vials and affixed with forged labels to impersonate premium, multinational brands—most notably Pfizer.

“The counterfeit labels were designed to deceive even the most cautious buyers, complete with QR and scanning codes,” an FDA official stated. “However, upon verification, these codes were found to be entirely nonfunctional.”

Impact on Licences and Supply Chain

The regulatory fallout has been swift. Among the 16 cancelled licences are entities such as Avesco Healthcare, Bangalore Speciality Pharma, and various other regional distributors and pharmacies. Furthermore, the suspension list—which includes Surya Speciality Hospital, Sagar Pharma Unit-II, and Hi-5 Pharma—features the wholesale licence of Pfizer Ltd, located in Kempanalinganahalli, Nelamangala taluk.

To prevent further circulation of the illicit goods, the FDA has blocked the batch numbers of all seized medicines on its official portal. Samples have been dispatched to state laboratories to analyze their chemical composition, sterility, and potency.

A Public Health Warning

The seized inventory is substantial, consisting of thousands of vials of critical injectable antibiotics, such as CEFIAVIGENT, HIZLAM, and Xavitaz. The discovery of 30 boxes of expired medications is particularly alarming, as it suggests that dangerous, shelf-expired drugs were being rebranded for retail sale.

“These spurious drugs pose a grave threat to human life,” the department warned. “They may contain either no active medicinal ingredients, incorrect chemicals, or even toxic substances, any of which could prove fatal to patients.”

What Lies Ahead

The facility was operating in clear violation of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Criminal cases have been registered, and the recovered machinery and evidence are being prepared for presentation before the JMFC Court, Bangalore South.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to map the entire supply chain. Their focus remains on identifying the kingpins behind this racket, with authorities promising arrests in the near future.

The Karnataka FDA has urged the public to remain vigilant. Consumers are advised to purchase life-saving medications only from licensed, reputable pharmacies and to insist on a valid tax invoice. Furthermore, the department recommends that any packaging showing signs of tampering or QR codes that fail to scan should be reported to the authorities immediately.

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