Raid: Fake Medicine Factory Busted in Zirakpur, Pharma Unit Sealed
Chandigarh: In a major crackdown on illegal drug manufacturing, authorities busted a large counterfeit medicine racket in Zirakpur's Pabhat Godown area, sealing a pharmaceutical unit after a six-hour-long raid, officials stated.
The operation was carried out by a joint team of the local police, the Drug Control Department, and the Food Safety Department following specific intelligence inputs. During the raid, officials inspected two pharmaceutical units operating in the area and uncovered serious violations of drug manufacturing and safety norms.
One of the units was found manufacturing medicines in highly unhygienic and unsafe conditions, with raw materials lying uncovered and improper handling practices being followed. Officials stated that the unit was operating without mandatory licences and approvals, following which it was immediately sealed. The second unit is also under investigation.
During the inspection, authorities recovered a wide range of illegally manufactured products, including tablets, injections, cough syrups, paediatric medicines, protein supplements, Ayurvedic and homeopathic formulations, as well as face creams, mouthwash and pain relief balms. Investigators also seized stamp pads and fake packaging material allegedly used to print forged batch numbers, manufacturing and expiry dates, and maximum retail prices on the products.
Officials collected nearly 20 samples of medicines and other products from the premises for laboratory testing to verify their composition and quality. The test results will determine the next course of legal action against those involved.
Local residents informed the authorities that the counterfeit medicine operation had allegedly been running for over five years, with products supplied not only within Punjab but also to several other states, raising concerns over a potential inter-state public health risk.
According to a recent media report in The Times of India, senior drug control officials stated that stringent action would be taken against all those involved, and efforts are underway to trace the entire supply chain and distribution network linked to the racket. Police are also verifying the backgrounds of the factory owners and workers to identify possible links to a larger organised network.
Further action will be initiated based on the outcome of sample testing and ongoing investigations.
