Cancer Immunotherapy Drug Found Without Importer Details
The Delhi Police arrested two individuals in Laxmi Nagar for possession of fake Opdivo injections—an immunotherapy drug used in cancer treatment. The accused have been identified as Neeraj Kumar, 23, and Anil Kumar, 30, both associated with a local pharmaceutical company.
The arrests were made following a tip-off about unauthorised cancer drug distribution. Upon search, officials recovered five vials of Opdivo that were reportedly devoid of any importer label—a violation of drug import and labelling regulations.
Opdivo, a brand name for nivolumab, is typically administered to patients with advanced-stage cancers such as melanoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and renal carcinoma. Due to its high cost and critical role in therapy, it has increasingly become a target for counterfeit drug rackets.
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Police Investigate Supply Chain
According to officials, the drugs were intended for illegal distribution and may have entered the domestic market through unregulated channels. Investigators are now tracing the origin of the seized stock and scrutinising the supply chain of the firm linked to the accused.
Delhi Police confirmed that the drugs have been sent to a certified laboratory for authentication and toxicology testing. Legal proceedings have been initiated under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, and further arrests are not being ruled out.
Authorities are also exploring whether the accused had sold similar counterfeit medications to clinics or individual patients, potentially endangering lives.
The case has raised fresh concerns over the safety of cancer patients in India, especially when counterfeit medication may be administered unknowingly. The health department has been notified, and coordination with drug control authorities has begun to prevent further circulation
About the Author – Anirudh Mittal is a B.Sc. LL.B. (Hons.) student at National Forensic Sciences University, Gandhinagar, with a keen interest in corporate law and tech-driven legal change.