Karnataka has blocked online access linked to a suspected counterfeit drug labelling network involving medicines worth more than Rs 5 crore, while directing hospitals and medical shops to withdraw products from suspected batches, Health Minister UT Khader said on Tuesday.
Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru, Khader said a preliminary investigation had indicated that the network could have links in other states. He said the state government had asked the Centre to consider a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation or the central drug investigation agency.
The minister said existing penalties and cancellation of drug licences were not sufficient to deter the sale of counterfeit medicines. He urged the Centre to consider stringent criminal provisions, including those relating to attempt to murder or murder, against people found responsible for selling fake medicines.
Khader said the government had issued instructions to completely withdraw medicines belonging to the suspected batches from hospitals and medical shops. The measure is intended to prevent further distribution while the suspected products and the network behind their labelling are investigated.
The state health department has also blocked login access associated with the suspected network on its online portal. According to Khader, this prevents vouchers from being generated through the system anywhere in Karnataka. The statement did not identify the medicines, manufacturers, distributors or locations linked to the suspected batches.
The minister also sought to address concerns raised by social media posts claiming that counterfeit medicines had been supplied to hospitals. His remarks did not establish that all such claims were accurate, but he said the government was taking action against the suspected network and had ordered the withdrawal of medicines from the affected batches.
Karnataka is considering setting up an advanced drug-testing laboratory to detect counterfeit medicines and accelerate quality checks, Khader said. The proposed facility would add testing capacity to the state’s existing regulatory system, although no location, budget or commissioning timeline was announced.
The government is also considering a system of surprise inspections. Under the proposed arrangement, drug control officials would visit pharmaceutical factories, hospitals and medical shops, collect random samples and send them for laboratory testing. The plan would extend checks across manufacturing, healthcare and retail points rather than relying only on complaints or scheduled inspections.
Khader said the government would take strict action against anyone found to have put people’s lives at risk and described the state’s position as one of zero tolerance. Further action will depend on the investigation into the suspected batches, the source of the labels and the reported inter-state links.
