Karnataka Suspends Assistant Drug Controller Over Alleged Lapses in Counterfeit Drug Case
Bengaluru: The Department of Health and Family Welfare has suspended Omkareshwar, an Assistant Drug Controller with the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA), Chamarajpet, over alleged lapses in the inspection and regulatory action concerning counterfeit medicines at a pharmaceutical distributor in Bengaluru.
According to Health Department officials, Omkareshwar failed to inspect the suspected counterfeit medicines at Krupa Healthcare, located near Minerva Circle within the Chamarajpet jurisdiction. Officials also alleged that he did not take appropriate regulatory action against the distributor despite the presence of suspected fake medicines at the premises.
The suspension comes against the backdrop of an investigation into an alleged counterfeit drug supply network operating in Bengaluru. The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Bengaluru Police, along with officials from the Food Safety and Drug Administration, recently arrested Veeresh Jain, owner of Krupa Healthcare, in connection with allegations that the firm supplied counterfeit medicines to hospitals, medical stores and clinics.
Investigators have alleged that Jain was involved in supplying fake medicines to more than 90 hospitals and clinics across Bengaluru. The suspected counterfeit products reportedly included cancer medicines, life-saving drugs and injections used in intensive care units (ICUs).
According to the investigation, the medicines were supplied to hospitals, clinics and medical stores at discounts of around 50 per cent. The unusually discounted supply was part of the allegations being examined by investigators as they traced the distribution network and the movement of suspected counterfeit medicines to healthcare establishments in the city.
The regulatory action against the Assistant Drug Controller follows scrutiny of the role of officials responsible for inspecting and taking action against distributors operating within their jurisdiction. The Health Department officials stated that the alleged failure to inspect the suspected counterfeit stock at Krupa Healthcare and to initiate appropriate action against the distributor constituted the basis for the suspension.
The arrest of Veeresh Jain forms part of the wider investigation being conducted jointly by the Bengaluru Police SIT and the Food Safety and Drug Administration into the alleged supply of spurious medicines. Investigators are examining the distribution of the suspected fake products to hospitals, clinics and medical stores and are working to establish the extent of the network, reports The Hindu.
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