Fake cancer drugs and ICU injections sold at 50% off, and hospitals bought them
An investigation in Bengaluru has uncovered a network distributing counterfeit and mislabeled cancer drugs and ICU injections to over 90 hospitals. The case highlights systemic vulnerabilities in the pharmaceutical supply chain that allow illicit products to enter legitimate medical facilities.
Why it matters
It exposes critical failures in healthcare oversight and the dangers of price-driven procurement in the medical supply chain.
NEW DELHI: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into a suspected fake-drug network in Bengaluru has raised a question that goes well beyond one pharmacy or one city: how easily can spurious or diverted medicines enter India’s legitimate healthcare system? The SIT has traced suspected spurious and mislabelled medicines to more than 90 hospitals and clinics in Bengaluru and nearby areas. At the centre of the probe is a licensed pharmacist, who investigators allege used a legitimate pharmaceutical business to build a wider distribution network.Bengaluru case exposes gaps beyond the pharmacy counterInvestigators allege that the network supplied spurious and mislabelled medicines, including counterfeit versions of high-demand Pfizer products, as well as cancer drugs and ICU injections. The medicines were reportedly sold at discounts of up to 50%, making them attractive in a market where some cancer medicines can cost tens of thousands of rupees.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in