Bengaluru, 19 August (H.S.):

Karnataka’s Drug Enforcement Wing has seized medicines worth ₹4.91 crore from an alleged unlicensed drug repacking facility near Bidadi on the outskirts of Bengaluru, Health Minister U.T. Khader said on Wednesday.

The unit was inspected by officials of the Karnataka Food Safety and Drug Administration on August 18. The operation has raised concerns over the suspected repacking of inexpensive medicines and their relabelling as costly pharmaceutical products, sometimes using the names of prominent multinational companies.

The largest component of the seized stock comprised 5,640 vials of CEFIAVIGENT 2.5 Injection, valued at ₹3.38 crore. The product’s label identified Eucratia Healthcare Private Limited as the manufacturer.

Officials also recovered 1,531 vials of HIZLAM Injectables, valued at ₹52.24 lakh, bearing the name of Welcure Remedies.

Another major recovery involved 30 boxes of expired medicines worth approximately ₹35 lakh. Investigators are examining whether expired products were being repacked and reintroduced into the supply chain, potentially posing a serious risk to patients.

The seized inventory also included 470 vials of Xavitaz injection, worth ₹27.49 lakh, and 264 vials of EMBLAVEO, valued at ₹20.59 lakh. The EMBLAVEO vials carried the name of pharmaceutical company Pfizer Limited on their labels.

Other medicines recovered during the inspection included 165 vials of Zavicefta injection valued at ₹5.45 lakh and 44 vials of TIGYNT IV worth ₹2.06 lakh. The TIGYNT IV labels carried the name of Stanex Drugs and Chemicals.

Officials also seized 44 vials of Tigvnet injection valued at ₹2.06 lakh, 190 vials of Aztreo injection worth ₹1.48 lakh and 50 vials of Trezam Injection valued at ₹1 lakh.

Authorities are verifying the origin and authenticity of the seized medicines and investigating the distribution network linked to the unit. Further legal action will follow based on the findings.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman