Editor’s Note
This report details a significant operation by authorities against counterfeit pharmaceuticals, underscoring the ongoing public health risks posed by illicit drug markets. The seizure of common and life-saving medicines highlights the critical need for vigilance in supply chain integrity.
A joint team of the Special Task Force (STF) and the Drugs Department conducted a raid in the Fountain Medicine Market on Saturday, seizing counterfeit medicines worth crores of rupees. The seized drugs included common medicines for cold, cough, and allergies, as well as antibiotics and life-saving drugs.
Following the seizure of the counterfeit drugs, businessman Himanshu Agrawal was arrested while allegedly attempting to offer a bribe of Rs 1 crore to officials to avoid action. The money is being counted by machine. A total of 214 cartons of drugs were seized, and samples of 14 medicines have been taken.
Assistant Drugs Commissioner Atul Upadhyay stated that about half a dozen pharmaceutical companies, including Zydus, Glenmark, Sun Pharma, and Sanofi, had filed complaints at the headquarters regarding the sale of counterfeit versions of their medicines. A team had been investigating the matter with the STF for two months. On Friday, raids were conducted at He Ma Medico Agency located in Mubarak Mahal, Fountain Medicine Market, and Bansal Medical Agency in Gogia Market. Both wholesale shops and their warehouses were sealed.
On Saturday, the team reached the He Ma Medico firm located in Syed Gali, Moti Katra. The proprietor, Himanshu Agrawal, a resident of G Block Karmyogi Kamla Nagar, allegedly offered a bribe of Rs 1 crore to avoid action in the counterfeit drug case.
In the afternoon, businessman Himanshu Agrawal arrived at the Fountain Medicine Market with a bag containing bundles of Rs 500 notes to give to the officials of the Drugs Department and STF. The team arrested him with the Rs 1 crore bribe. A machine was called to count the notes. Subsequently, the team took Himanshu Agrawal to his firm.
Representatives of the pharmaceutical companies were also called. The QR codes on the medicines were scanned, and the printing on the wrappers was checked. The team seized medicines worth about Rs 2.5 crore until late at night, including drugs for cold, fever, pain relief, and skin diseases. The 214 cartons of counterfeit drugs filled an entire DCM truck.
Sanofi company’s Allegra 120 tablets, used for cold and allergies, which had arrived from Chennai to Agra Cantt Station and were booked for Lucknow, were being transported by auto to Bansal Medical in Gogia Market, Fountain Medicine Market. The team intercepted the auto on Friday night.
Auto driver Adhik informed that the medicines were being sent to the market by Farhan, a resident of Agra Cantt. Following this, a raid was conducted at Farhan’s house. Raids are also being conducted on several businessmen, hawkers, and a transport company linked to the counterfeit drug syndicate. Bansal Medical and its warehouse were sealed on Friday, and further investigation will be conducted on Sunday.