BENGALURU: In a major crackdown on the suspected circulation of spurious and falsely labelled medicines, Karnataka drug control authorities have busted an alleged illegal medicine repacking unit near Bidadi on the outskirts of Bengaluru and seized drugs and other material reportedly worth around ₹5 crore.
The raid was conducted at an unlicensed facility following specific inputs, where officials allegedly found a large quantity of medicines along with packing and labelling material and equipment suspected to have been used for repacking and relabelling pharmaceutical products.
Preliminary reports suggest that the unit was allegedly involved in repacking medicines, including injectable antibiotics, and affixing labels resembling those of reputed pharmaceutical companies. Investigators are probing the source of the medicines and the alleged network involved in their procurement, repacking and distribution.
The authorities are also examining whether any of the suspected medicines had already been supplied to the market through distributors, pharmacies or healthcare institutions. The exact supply trail and the identities of those allegedly involved are under investigation.
The seizure has raised concerns over the possible risk to unsuspecting patients, particularly if improperly labelled or spurious medicines had entered the healthcare supply chain. Officials are expected to scrutinise the seized stock, trace its distribution network and take further action on the basis of the investigation.