Delhi police bust counterfeit cancer drug racket spanning seven states

Delhi police have dismantled a sprawling counterfeit pharmaceutical racket that supplied fake and substandard cancer treatments across at least seven states, according to findings by the city's Crime Branch. The investigation revealed that an injection of Avelumab—a high-cost cancer drug typically priced at Rs 1 lakh per vial—was being sold in the black market with only saline solution inside.

The operation involved the distribution of genuinely manufactured cancer medications that had been diverted from hospitals and government supply chains, alongside completely counterfeit preparations. The racket exploited vulnerable cancer patients seeking treatments outside regular medical channels, authorities said.

Police have not yet disclosed the full extent of arrests or the quantity of counterfeit drugs seized during the investigation. The case highlights persistent vulnerabilities in pharmaceutical supply chains across India, where oncology drugs—among the most expensive treatments—remain frequent targets for counterfeiting and black market distribution.

The discovery comes amid growing concerns about counterfeit medications in India's healthcare system. Authorities have urged cancer patients and their families to procure medications only from licensed chemists and authorized hospital pharmacies to avoid such fraudulent operations.