A probe into the alleged substitution of genuine cancer medicines with counterfeit drugs in government hospitals has expanded to more than 90 hospitals in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, according to a report by Jagran – New Delhi. The investigation follows the disappearance of four expensive cancer injections from the Delhi State Cancer Institute and an earlier Delhi Crime Branch operation against an interstate drug network.
The report, citing information from the Health Department, said the Crime Branch action in August led to the arrest of 17 people. Investigators reportedly recovered medicines valued at around Rs 9 crore, 588 cancer injections and Rs 50 lakh in cash. The seized material is being examined in connection with allegations that genuine medicines were removed from government hospitals and Central Government Health Scheme stores.
According to the report, the alleged network replaced genuine medicines in their original packaging with counterfeit products, cheaper medicines or saline before returning them to hospital stores. The genuine drugs were allegedly diverted for sale in the open market. The allegations have raised questions about how high-value medicines are stored, secured, recorded and distributed inside public hospitals.
The Delhi State Cancer Institute case is being examined separately for a possible connection with the suspected counterfeit-drug network. Investigating agencies are also looking into the role of staff responsible for the storage and distribution of medicines at the hospital. A first information report registered at GTB Enclave police station is reportedly being linked to the Crime Branch investigation because of the seriousness and possible wider connections of the case.
Jagran reported that Vikram Singh and Watan Saini were accused of diverting medicines belonging to CGHS to other locations, while Raju Mishra was accused of involvement in preparing counterfeit medicines. These are allegations under investigation, and the report did not establish that every hospital or individual named in the wider inquiry was involved in wrongdoing.
The investigation is also examining whether more than 100 cancer patients were given counterfeit medicines. The report said that in some cases, medicines intended for one patient may have been administered to another. It did not provide details of the patients affected, the clinical consequences or whether any deaths or treatment failures had been formally linked to the alleged substitutions.
The case places the hospital medicine supply chain under scrutiny, particularly the points at which costly injections are received, stored, issued and administered. It also raises questions about whether inventory records, packaging checks and accountability systems were adequate to detect the alleged replacement of medicines. The agencies are continuing to establish the extent of the network and determine whether the missing injections from the Delhi State Cancer Institute were connected to it.
The next steps in the investigation include tracing the movement of medicines, determining the involvement of hospital personnel and examining the suspected network’s operations across multiple cities. Authorities are also expected to establish the number of patients and institutions affected before drawing conclusions about the wider case.
