• Moumi Mousumi
• 21 Feb, 2025

A shocking case of fake medicines has been exposed in West Bengal raising concerns about public health and pharmaceutical fraud. Authorities raided a drug supply agency in Howrah's Amta and discovered counterfeit medicines with fake QR codes of branded pharmaceutical companies. The owner of the agency has been arrested and the entire stock has been seized. Investigations are underway to determine how far these fake drugs have been distributed across the state.

Fake Medicines Worth Rs 17 Lakh Seized

The Drug Control Department conducted a surprise raid at Manna Agency a well-known drug supplier in Amta, Howrah. During the inspection officials were shocked to find Rs 17 lakh worth of counterfeit medicines. The fake QR codes on these medicines were designed to trick customers into believing they were purchasing genuine products.

The agency owner has been arrested and presented in Uluberia court while authorities have sealed the godown. Officials are now investigating whether these fake drugs have been distributed to other pharmacies and hospitals across the state.

Ongoing Pharmaceutical Scandals in West Bengal

This is not the first time West Bengal has witnessed a scandal involving fake medicines. Just last month, serious concerns were raised about the “Ringer Lactate” saline supplied by West Bengal Pharmaceuticals.

- In 2023, the company had supplied over 11,000 bottles of contaminated saline to hospitals in Karnataka's Bellary and Chitradurga districts.

- This allegedly led to the deaths of five pregnant women in a Bellary district hospital.

- A government investigation found 16 out of 27 saline samples failed quality tests.

- Despite safety warnings, the saline was still being used in several hospitals leading to a massive public outcry.

The recent fake medicine bust in Amta has further intensified concerns about drug safety in the region.

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Fake Medicines, A Growing Threat

Cases of counterfeit and substandard medicines have been on the rise in India. In Kolkata authorities had previously uncovered a Rs 6.5 crore fake drug racket where life-saving medicines were found to be completely fraudulent.

According to the Central Drug Control Organisation at least 44 types of low-quality and fake medicines have flooded the market. These contaminated drugs pose a severe health risk and can lead to life-threatening complications.

The latest crackdown on fake drugs in Amta highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations and monitoring in the pharmaceutical industry. Consumers are urged to verify medicines before use and report any suspicious activity to authorities.

As the demand for quality healthcare rises so does the risk of counterfeit medicines entering the market. Authorities must act swiftly to shut down such fraudulent operations and protect the public from harmful fake drugs. Consumers are advised to always check QR codes and purchase medicines only from trusted pharmacies.