Delhi to form special committee to crush fake medicine racket
New Delhi: In a decisive move to protect public health, the Delhi government is set to form a special committee to conduct raids and curb the circulation of counterfeit medicines, an official stated.
Formed by the Health Department, the committee will consist of four specialised teams to conduct systematic raids across the city—often at midnight— targeting hotspots near hospitals and medical shops where fake drug operations are suspected.
"These operations will often take place at midnight at various locations, particularly in front of hospitals and medical shops, where the fake drug racket is believed to be active," the official told PTI.
The seized medicines will then be sent for stringent laboratory testing to verify their authenticity, he added.
Delhi Health Minister Pankaj Singh said the decision comes after several cases of fake medicines being sold in city surfaced in recent months, raising serious health concerns.
Singh emphasised the government's zero-tolerance policy towards the manufacturing and circulation of fake medicines.
"Our primary aim is to protect public health. The newly formed committee will work round the clock to identify sources, conduct surprise raids, and ensure no fake medicines reach the people of Delhi," the minister said.
Earlier this month, 127 cancer medicines came under the scanner after the Delhi government decided to re-examine 75 drug samples that had earlier been reported as compliant.
Adding to the alarm, an Agra-based pharmaceutical trader was also arrested last month by the Special Task Force (STF) for allegedly offering a Rs 1-crore bribe, delivered in three bags of Rs 500 notes, to STF and drug department officials during a raid on his premises.
Read also: Rs 1 Crore Bribe to Drug Officials Exposed, UP STF Busts Multi-Crore Fake Drugs Syndicate
Next Story