{
  "id": 1783289,
  "title": "Fake drug racket busted near Bidadi; medicines worth ₹5 crore seized",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/fake-drug-racket-busted-near-bidadi-medicines-worth-5-crore-seized",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T19:27:05.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu",
    "slug": "the-hindu",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/fake-drug-racket-busted-near-bidadi-medicines-worth-5-crore-seized/article71361808.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Enforcement Wing of Karnataka's Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) Department discovered an alleged counterfeit drug operation near Bidadi on Tuesday. The unit, located near Hejjala in Ramanagara district, was found to be manufacturing, repackaging and labeling spurious medicines under the names of well-known multinational pharmaceutical companies. Acting on a tip-off, enforcement officers raided the premises near the Bidadi toll gate and seized medicines estimated to be worth around ₹5 crore. Health Minister U.T. Khader confirmed the seizure, stating that the unit lacked a valid license for medicine manufacturing. The operation has raised concerns about counterfeit medicines entering the pharmaceutical supply chain, designed to appear as products from reputable companies. Officials are currently examining the seized medicines and materials recovered from the premises. Further investigation is expected to reveal the source of the drugs, the scale of the operation, and any distribution network involved. The raid coincides with the State's intensified efforts to monitor the pharmaceutical supply chain and enforce food and drug safety regulations, following recent inspections of various sectors, including food establishments, hotels, international food chains, government canteens, and warehouses for quick-commerce platforms. In addition to these inspections, the FSDA has been strengthening surveillance of pharmacies and drug distribution channels to ensure safety standards across the supply chain. The State has also encouraged public participation in reporting food and drug safety violations by providing pharmacies, restaurants, and other establishments with QR codes for consumers to lodge complaints.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "Karnataka's Food Safety and Drug Administration busts counterfeit drug operation near Bidadi.",
    "Enforcement officers seize medicines worth ₹5 crore, labeled as multinational brands.",
    "Health Minister confirms lack of valid license for medicine manufacturing."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}