SIT track down distribution of 15,000 suspected fake antibiotic vials

Bengaluru: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the alleged counterfeit medicine racket in Karnataka has found that around 15,000 suspected fake antibiotic vials were distributed during the past one-and-a-half years, officials said.

The medicines under scrutiny are Zavicefta and Emblaveo, prescription antibiotics used to treat serious bacterial infections. According to investigators, the accused allegedly filled generic medicines into vials and passed them off as genuine Pfizer products by using company labels.The suspected network is believed to have been operating since April 2025. Investigators have reportedly found that original Pfizer labels were sourced from the company’s manufacturing facility in Turkey and used in the alleged counterfeit operation. Laboratory reports are awaited to determine the chemical composition of the seized medicines.

Officials said the SIT is now mapping the entire supply chain, including the quantity of medicines purchased, manufactured, stocked, sold and distributed. Investigators are also examining the institutions and hospitals that may have received the suspected counterfeit products.A vial of Zavicefta reportedly costs around ₹5,500 to ₹6,000, while Emblaveo is priced between ₹6,000 and ₹6,500. Police suspect that the accused may have made profits exceeding ₹10 crore in recent months by producing the medicines at a lower cost and selling them as branded products.

The investigation has also uncovered alleged supply links involving Hyderabad, Chennai and Uttarakhand. The medicines were reportedly routed through DM Pharma and later supplied to Krupa Pharma before reaching other companies and hospitals. Police said there is currently no evidence linking the racket to counterfeit cancer medicines.