A large-scale counterfeit medicine operation has been uncovered across Sindh, including Karachi, raising grave concerns about public health and safety. Authorities have warned that the distribution of fake medicines poses a significant risk to consumers, potentially leading to severe health complications or even fatalities.
Adnan Rizvi, the head of the Drug Testing Laboratory, disclosed that several medicines analyzed by the lab were confirmed to be counterfeit. Further investigations revealed that seven pharmaceutical companies linked to their production do not actually exist, indicating a well-organized fraud network. Rizvi stressed that the sale of counterfeit medicines is a direct threat to human lives and called for strict legal action under the Drug Act to bring those responsible to justice.
In a related development, the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Anti-Corruption Circle in Islamabad has intensified its efforts to curb the distribution of fake and unregistered medicines. In a recent raid, FIA officials apprehended a suspect, Mazhar Qeebbal, from a medical store located in the Diplomatic Enclave, Islamabad. He was allegedly involved in selling counterfeit medicines. This arrest follows the detention of two other individuals from the same store last week, during which FIA operatives confiscated a significant cache of fake and unregistered drugs.
Authorities have vowed to continue their operations against counterfeit medicine networks, recognizing the need for stringent regulatory measures and enhanced market surveillance. The crackdown aims to protect public health by ensuring that only genuine, approved medicines reach consumers. Regulatory bodies have also urged the public to remain vigilant, report suspicious pharmaceutical products, and purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies to avoid potential health risks.
