New Delhi: The Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration has cancelled 16 drug licences and suspended eight others after an investigation uncovered
a suspected spurious medicine racket at a farmhouse in Bidadi in Bengaluru South district.
The FDA’s Drug Enforcement Wing raided the farmhouse at Kurubarakeranahalli on August 18, 2026. Officials found an unlicensed unit that allegedly repacked and relabelled low-cost medicines as expensive imported drugs.
The Karnataka government said the suspects procured cheaper medicines from neighbouring states and transferred them into new vials. They then used forged labels to make the products resemble premium medicines sold by multinational pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer.
Medicines worth crores seized
The FDA seized drugs, machinery and printing material worth around Rs 5.05 crore. The stock included 5,640 vials of CEFIAVIGENT 2.5 Injection valued at nearly Rs 3.38 crore.
Officials also recovered 1,531 vials of HIZLAM Injectables worth around Rs 52.24 lakh. The authorities seized 30 boxes of expired medicines valued at nearly Rs 35 lakh, along with other injections, filling machinery, forged stamps and labels.
The counterfeit labels carried QR and scanning codes. However, officials found that the codes did not work during verification.
Licences face action
The preliminary investigation found several alleged violations of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. These included the manufacture, storage and distribution of medicines without a valid licence.
The FDA later traced several retailers and wholesalers linked to the sale and distribution of the suspected spurious drugs. It cancelled 16 licences and suspended eight others.
The licence of M/s Pfizer C&F Depot at Kempalinganahalli in Bengaluru Rural district has also been suspended. The department has started blocking the batch numbers and details of the seized medicines on its portal to prevent further sale.
SIT traces supply chain
Officials have sent samples for laboratory tests to examine their composition, sterility and potency. The seized medicines and equipment will be produced before a Judicial Magistrate First Class court in Bengaluru South.
A Special Investigation Team is tracing the source of the medicines and the wider distribution network. A criminal case has also been registered under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act.
The government said offences involving spurious drugs could attract imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life, along with fines. The FDA advised consumers to buy medicines only from licensed pharmacies and obtain valid tax invoices.
