Fake Cancer Drug Racket Busted: A man was selling counterfeit medicines to 100 hospitals across Bengaluru and other states

A major counterfeit medicine racket has been uncovered in Karnataka, with investigators alleging that a licensed pharmacist supplied fake cancer drugs and critical-care injections to more than 90 hospitals and clinics in Bengaluru and surrounding areas. The investigation has also revealed links to other states, including Maharashtra and Gujarat, raising concerns about the possible spread of counterfeit medicines through a wider interstate supply network.

Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader said the state government acted after its enforcement agencies detected the suspected fake drug operation. The crackdown involved the Health and Family Welfare Department, the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration, the Drugs Control Department and a Special Investigation Team (SIT).

Fake Cancer Drug Racket: How the racket was busted

The investigation began with an enforcement operation at a farmhouse near the Bidadi Toll Gate on August 18. Officials reportedly recovered suspected expired and counterfeit medicines worth around Rs 5 crore.


According to the minister, investigators found that the syndicate allegedly sourced inexpensive pharmaceutical formulations from manufacturing centres in Telangana and Himachal Pradesh. The medicines were then taken to a facility near Bidadi, where they were allegedly repackaged into fresh vials and given labels suggesting that they were expensive imported medicines manufactured by multinational pharmaceutical companies.

The products were reportedly intended for use in intensive care and the treatment of serious illnesses, making the suspected racket particularly serious. Following the initial seizure, the state government constituted a six-member SIT headed by a senior IPS officer to investigate the network and trace its interstate connections.

Licensed pharmacist allegedly at centre of operation

The investigation later led authorities to Krupa Health Care near Minerva Circle in Bengaluru. The SIT and Drugs Control Department reportedly raided the establishment and seized suspected counterfeit medicines, financial documents and records related to the supply chain. Its proprietor, licensed pharmacist Veeresh Kumar, was arrested.

Investigators allegedly suspect Kumar of being a key figure in the distribution network. Kumar had established Krupa Health Care in 2021. According to the investigation, his legitimate pharmaceutical business may have provided a cover for the alleged distribution of counterfeit medicines. Authorities are examining how the products entered the supply chain and how they reached hospitals and medical establishments.

Fake versions of popular cancer medicines

Investigators reportedly found counterfeit versions of high-demand pharmaceutical products, including medicines associated with Pfizer, among the seized supplies. The alleged operation was not limited to a small group of buyers. According to the investigation, counterfeit medicines were supplied to more than 90 hospitals and clinics across Bengaluru and nearby areas.

The network also allegedly extended outside Karnataka, with investigators identifying links to Maharashtra and Gujarat. Officials are now attempting to establish the full extent of the distribution chain and determine whether other states or healthcare establishments received the suspected counterfeit medicines.

More than 15 medical representatives allegedly involved

The investigation has also brought the alleged distribution mechanism under scrutiny.According to the information released by authorities, Kumar allegedly operated a network of more than 15 medical representatives who marketed and distributed the medicines to medical centres and other buyers.

This aspect of the investigation is significant because the alleged racket appears to have used an organised commercial distribution system rather than relying solely on direct sales. Investigators are now examining financial transactions, supply records and other documents recovered during the raids to identify the people involved at different stages.

Karnataka orders hospitals not to use seized medicines

The state government has said details of the suspected counterfeit and spurious medicines were shared with the Union government and administrations of other states. Hospitals, nursing homes and clinical establishments in Karnataka were also instructed not to administer any medicines included in the seized inventory.

Khader said he wrote to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda seeking intervention from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) and other central agencies. The objective, according to the minister, was to trace the supply chain and prevent the suspected counterfeit medicines from reaching patients elsewhere in the country.

SIT probing wider interstate network

The investigation is still underway, and authorities have not yet disclosed the complete extent of the alleged racket. The SIT is examining the suspected supply of counterfeit medicines and ICU injections to hospitals and clinics and is also looking into the interstate links.

Khader has said the government will make the investigation findings public after the probe is completed. The case has once again highlighted the risks posed by counterfeit medicines entering legitimate healthcare supply chains. Unlike ordinary fake products, counterfeit drugs can directly endanger patients, particularly when they are intended for cancer treatment, intensive care or other critical medical conditions.

Authorities are now working to identify every link in the alleged network, from the source of the formulations and repackaging facilities to distributors, medical representatives and buyers.

(Inputs from ANI and TOI)