The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FDA) has uncovered an alleged illegal pharmaceutical repacking and relabelling operation in Bengaluru South, seizing medicines, packaging materials and equipment valued at nearly ₹5 crore.
According to officials, an unlicensed facility near Bidadi tollgate was allegedly being used to repackage lower-cost medicines sourced from other states and relabel them as expensive multinational and imported brands.
Facility Operating Without Drug Licence
Acting on a tip-off, the FDA Drug Enforcement Wing inspected a farmhouse at Kurubakeranahalli near Bidadi on August 18. Officials reportedly found medicines being refilled into new vials and labels allegedly forged to resemble established pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer.
Investigators also found that scanning codes printed on some labels were non-functional, raising concerns about the authenticity and traceability of the medicines.
Expired and Suspected Spurious Medicines Seized
The seized stock included:
- 5,640 vials of Cefiavagent 2.5, valued at approximately ₹3.38 crore
- 1,531 vials of Hizlam, valued at around ₹52.24 lakh
- 30 boxes of expired medicines, worth approximately ₹35 lakh
- Various injectable medicines, including Xavitaz, Emblaveo, Zavicefta, Tigynt, Tignvet, Aztreo and Trezam
Officials also recovered an injection-filling machine, forged labels, stamps, packaging materials and printing equipment allegedly used in the operation.
The total estimated value of the seized medicines, equipment and related materials was ₹4,91,49,575.
Samples Sent for Laboratory Testing
The FDA has blocked the seized batch numbers and portal entries to prevent the medicines from being distributed further.
Samples have been sent for laboratory examination to determine their chemical composition, sterility and potency and to establish whether the medicines contain the ingredients stated on their labels.
The operation is being investigated under provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, with authorities working to identify the source of the medicines, those responsible for the alleged operation and the intended distribution network.
Investigation Underway
The seized materials will be produced before the JMFC Court, Bengaluru South, while further investigation continues.
The case highlights the serious risks associated with illegal pharmaceutical repackaging, counterfeit labelling and the possible reintroduction of expired medicines into the supply chain.
Authorities are continuing laboratory testing and investigation before determining the full extent of the alleged violations.
📢 Be Aware, We never charge any consultancy fee for jobs.
📲 Foodtech Network WhatsApp Jobs Group
Click to join the WhatsApp group
👥Free Membership (For Jobs, Internship and Training)
Membership registration
⚙️ Food Entrepreneurs & Startups (For business owners)
Our services (Free and Paid)
📱 Food safety training and certification.
Check our training portal and enroll now
