Karnataka Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Raid Uncovers Large-Scale Counterfeit Drug Operation in Bidadi

On August 18, 2026, the Karnataka Food Safety and Drugs Administration (FSDA) — through its Drug Enforcement Wing — raided an unlicensed facility at a farmhouse in Kurubarakeranahalli, Bidadi (Bengaluru South district). Investigators seized spurious injectable medicines, packaging material, an injection-filling machine and forged labels valued at roughly INR5.05 crore. The raid revealed a scheme in which low-cost medicines procured from neighbouring states were refilled into new vials and relabelled as expensive, life-saving products of multinational brands, notably Pfizer.

Karnataka busts fake drug racket, suspends license of Pfizer depot, 7 other firms Fake drugs: Karnataka cancels 16 licenses, suspends 8 including that of Pfizer depot CNN-News18Hindustan TimesKarnataka FDA cracks down on fake drug racket: 24 licences hit, INR5 cr stock seized — what did it find during raid? The Hindu

The operation was part of a broader crackdown ordered by Karnataka’s new Health & Family Welfare Minister U T Khader. Earlier raids in the state had prompted the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by IPS officer C. Vamsi Krishna, comprising officials from the drug department, police and commercial tax authorities. The Bidadi site was identified after a tip-off to the Drug Enforcement Wing.

Karnataka FDA cracks down on fake drug racket: 24 licences hit, INR5 cr stock seized — what did it find during raid?

• Seized medicines included 5,640 vials of *CEFIAVIGENT 2.5 Injection* (? INR3.38 crore), 1,531 vials of *HIZLAM Injectables* (? INR52 lakh), 264 vials of *EMBLAVEO* bearing a Pfizer label (? INR20.6 lakh), and 30 boxes of expired drugs (? INR35 lakh). Additional items reported by some outlets were 470 vials of *Xavitaz Inj.* and various antibiotic injectables.

Hindustan Times

• The FSDA cancelled 16 drug licences and suspended 8 others, affecting retailers and wholesalers across Karnataka. Among the suspended licences was the Pfizer C&F Depot at Kempalinganahalli, Nelamangala taluk (Bengaluru Rural district).

The Hindu

• Batch numbers of the seized stock have been blocked on the FSDA portal, and samples have been sent to a government laboratory for testing of chemical composition, sterility and potency. All seized material is slated for presentation before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court in Bengaluru South.

The Hindu

• “We have stopped Pfizer’s sale in the State because they did not cooperate with the investigation,” — Mr. Khader, health minister

The Hindu

• He also emphasized that “at present, everything is original in the government hospitals,” reassuring the public about the safety of medicines supplied to public facilities.“At present, everything is original in the government hospitals,” — Mr. Khader, health minister

The Hindu

• The FSDA urged citizens to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies, to demand valid tax invoices, and to report any packaging with non-functional QR or scanning codes.

Fake drugs: Karnataka cancels 16 licenses, suspends 8 including that of Pfizer depot

• While most sources cite the seized stock’s value as INR5.05 crore, one report estimated the inventory at INR4.91 crore, indicating a minor discrepancy in valuation.

Hindustan Times

• The list of seized items varies: some outlets mention additional vials (e.g., *Xavitaz Inj.*, *Zavicefta Inj.*) and other antibiotic injectables not detailed in every account.

Hindustan Times

• No public statement from Pfizer regarding the suspension of its depot has been recorded in the available sources.

CNN-News18

The SIT continues to map the wider supply chain, aiming to identify further retailers, wholesalers and possibly interstate collaborators. The seized medicines, machinery and printing material will be formally documented and presented before the JMFC court for further legal proceedings.

Karnataka busts fake drug racket, suspends license of Pfizer depot, 7 other firms