Rs 5-crore counterfeit medicines racket busted near Bengaluru; Pfizer labels seized

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, Aug 19, 2026: The Drug Wing of the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FSDA) has busted a suspected counterfeit medicines racket involving the repackaging and relabelling of spurious drugs worth at least Rs 5 crore near Bidadi on Mysuru Road.

The raid was conducted at an establishment near the Bidadi toll gate on Tuesday. Officials seized medicines along with labels of major pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, from the premises.

Officials suspect the spurious medicines were being repackaged and relabelled to make them appear to be products of established multinational pharmaceutical companies. All medicines found at the premises were seized.

A video released by the department showed cartons containing medicine packets, fresh labels, a notching machine and an invoice in the name of ‘Kaushik Pharmaceuticals’. A bottle of sticker-remover spray was also recovered.

Officials said the establishment was operating without a valid drug licence.

FSDA Commissioner Srinivas K said the raid was carried out following a tip-off from the police.

“Our officers were accompanied by a police team. Labels of all major pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, were found. The spurious drugs were sourced for just Rs 600 to Rs 700 but sold for Rs 6,000 to Rs 7,000. We are investigating their source and supply chain,” he said.

The department will also trace retailers who purchased the mislabelled drugs and, if possible, identify customers who may have unknowingly bought the counterfeit medicines.