In the wake of a counterfeit cancer drug racket uncovered by Delhi Police, the Delhi Drugs Control Department has launched an aggressive city-wide inspection drive, issuing notices to 12 wholesale dealers and collecting over 160 drug samples to curb the sale of spurious medicines.

Key highlights

Widespread raids and notices

• 12 wholesale drug dealers served notices for irregularities in sales and purchase records.

• Dealers given 15 days to respond before punitive action is taken.

Two-phase inspection across Delhi

• 10 teams of drug inspectors launched inspections across Bhagirath Place, Laxmi Nagar, Dwarka, and near major hospitals including AIIMS and Safdarjung.

• Focus is primarily on anti-cancer drugs, a high-risk category for counterfeiting.

160+ drug samples collected

• Over 80% of collected samples are cancer medications.

• Samples sent to Chandigarh labs for faster analysis due to limited testing capacity in Delhi.

Dangerous practice of reusing vials

• Empty vials of original cancer medicines are being refilled with fake substances and reintroduced into pharmacies and online supply chains.

• Fake drugs reportedly marked as “Not for Sale in India” sold for ₹50,000–₹70,000 despite original market value being ₹1.5–₹2 lakh.

Hospital infiltration and online risk

• Authorities suspect hospital supply chains have been compromised.

• Counterfeit drugs are being sold through both offline and online channels.

With counterfeit cancer drugs endangering lives and trust in the healthcare system, the Delhi Drugs Control Department’s crackdown marks a critical move toward safeguarding patient health. Continued enforcement, transparent supply chains, and faster lab testing are expected to be key in curbing the menace.