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The Drug Control Department has launched a citywide raid across Delhi and collected over 160 samples of cancer drugs. This comes as a suo motu action after Delhi Police busted a well-organized racket allegedly responsible for selling fake and unauthorized cancer drugs to patients.
Violations Found Near Major Hospitals
According to officials, inspections were held in areas surrounding key hospitals, including AIIMS, Safdarjung, Lok Nayak, and Rajiv Gandhi. Prominent medicine markets in Daryaganj, Bhagirath Palace, and Laxmi Nagar were also covered.
Sources added that Delhi, especially Bhagirath Palace, is a key transit point for these drugs. From here, they are supplied to states like Uttar Pradesh (Agra), Bihar (Patna), and cities in Jharkhand, where such cases are frequently reported.
Out of the 40 places inspected, 15 were found breaking drug rules.
Officials from the Drug Control Department told The Indian Express, “Sale and purchase records of these 15 firms revealed billing discrepancies. Some firms could not provide any records. The department has initiated action under the Drugs Rules, 1945.”
Some of the seized samples include commonly used cancer medications such as Imatinib, Capegard 500, Cycloxan, and Hydroxyurea. These are typically used in treating leukemia, breast cancer, and other malignancies.
Samples Sent for Testing, Raids Continue
All samples have been sent to labs in Delhi and Chandigarh, as the capital has only one designated drug testing facility. Results are expected in the next 3–4 weeks.
This is believed to be the second major crackdown in the last 18 months.
In the first week of June, the Crime Branch conducted three different raids and arrested six individuals for allegedly selling counterfeit cancer medicines.
Authorities revealed that these medicines typically carry a ‘Not for Sale in India’ tag and are being sold to patients at prices ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹70,000. In comparison, genuine cancer medications typically cost between ₹1.5–2 lakh.
Officials added that the racket has even infiltrated hospitals. “Empty vials of genuine medicines are reportedly sold to unscrupulous dealers, who refill them with fake substances. These are then pushed back into the supply chain and sold to unsuspecting patients through pharmacies and online platforms,” they said.
Second Phase of Inspections to Begin
Ten teams, each led by a drug inspector, have been set up to conduct inspections in two phases, a senior official said. The initial phase of the inspection began last week, with the second round scheduled to commence on Monday. These teams are checking medicine stocks across wholesale and retail shops in different parts of the city, with a key focus on anti-cancer drugs due to the recent rise in fake cases.
(Input From Various Sources)
(Rehash/Pooja Bansal/MSM)
