The Uttar Pradesh Food Safety and Drug Administration has uncovered an alleged inter-district counterfeit medicines network during a coordinated operation in Lucknow and Varanasi, leading to the seizure of suspected medicines worth more than ₹26.60 lakh and action against 12 pharmaceutical firms.
Authorities suspended the operations of 12 firms as part of the enforcement action. Officials said the preliminary findings indicate the possible existence of an organised network supplying suspected counterfeit or improperly documented medicines across multiple districts of Uttar Pradesh.
Suspicious Carton Intercepted in Lucknow
The operation began on the night of July 6 near Alambagh Bus Station in Lucknow, where enforcement officials intercepted a suspicious carton.
During the search, officials recovered 4,800 tablets of Chymoral Forte, a brand marketed by Torrent Pharmaceuticals, and 2,940 tablets of Goodsafe Plus. Preliminary examination reportedly found discrepancies in the packaging, printing and labelling of Goodsafe Plus, raising suspicion that the product may be counterfeit.
Varanasi resident Vimal Kumar Singh was arrested at the spot. During questioning, he allegedly disclosed that he had procured the medicines from New Surgical in Varanasi without invoices or valid licensing documents and supplied them to Lucknow and other locations. An FIR was subsequently registered at Alambagh Police Station.
Raid Conducted at Varanasi Firm
Acting on the information gathered in Lucknow, a joint team of the FSDA and police raided New Surgical at Chaudhary Katra in Varanasi the same day.
Officials claimed to have recovered a substantial quantity of allopathic medicines allegedly stored without valid documentation. The proprietor, Sandeep Srivastava, was arrested during the action.
Authorities collected samples of 12 suspected medicines for laboratory testing and sealed additional pharmaceutical stock worth around ₹25 lakh. A separate criminal case has also been registered in connection with the recovery.
Supply Chain Under Investigation
During interrogation, Sandeep Srivastava allegedly stated that he had sourced the medicines from Sanjay Singh Chauhan of Prayagraj and Gaurav Sharma of Varanasi. Investigators are now examining their role, the supply chain and the possible involvement of other associates.
Officials are also trying to identify the districts and medical establishments where the suspected medicines may have been supplied. The FSDA said the preliminary investigation suggests the network may have misused the brand names of reputed pharmaceutical companies to distribute counterfeit or suspected medicines.
Investigators are scrutinising purchase and sales records, stock registers, billing documents, licensing records and digital transaction data to trace the distribution network. The FSDA, police and other agencies are continuing their probe, while laboratory reports, financial records, digital evidence and witness statements will determine further legal action.
