Fake cancer drugs supplied to more than 90 Bengaluru hospitals, pharmacy owner arrested

According to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Bengaluru police and the Drugs Control Department, a large-scale counterfeit medicine racket was uncovered in the city. The investigation revealed that Veeresh Kumar Jain, the owner of a pharmacy, was allegedly involved in supplying suspected fake medicines to over 90 hospitals and clinics in Bengaluru.

The SIT and Drugs Control Department conducted a raid on Krupa Healthcare near Minerva Circle, seizing a significant stock of counterfeit medicines. The network is suspected to have supplied counterfeit cancer drugs, life-saving medicines, and ICU injections at discounted prices, around 50 per cent off. The investigation further suggests that low-cost medicines were rebranded and sold under different names, while expired medicines were repackaged with counterfeit labels resembling those of reputed pharmaceutical companies.

A network of over 15 medical representatives is believed to have facilitated the distribution of these medicines, potentially beyond Karnataka. Veeresh Kumar Jain, the pharmacy owner, has been operating the firm for approximately five years and is suspected to have connections with Prashant, a key accused and alleged kingpin of the network.

Prashant is currently at large, and authorities are working to trace him. The pharmacy in Minerva Circle is suspected to have served as a storage point before the medicines were distributed to medical shops, hospitals, and clinics. Further investigation is ongoing, with the police gathering bank transaction records, purchase and sale vouchers, and other documents to establish the flow of medicines and related transactions.