In a startling revelation, Delhi Police have uncovered a disturbing case involving the sale of fake cancer drugs to unsuspecting patients across India. The investigation, which began three months ago, has culminated in a chargesheet filed at Tis Hazari court, highlighting the dire consequences of this medical fraud.
According to reports, the racket involved sourcing empty vials of critical cancer medications from pharmacists and hospital staff, which were then filled with counterfeit substances and sold through pharmacies and online platforms. More than 140 vials of these spurious medications, originally valued at approximately Rs 4 crore, were seized during police raids.
Tragically, the investigation has confirmed that eight patients who purchased these counterfeit drugs have been identified. Shockingly, one patient, suffering from cancer, succumbed after being administered the fake medication. The chargesheet underscores the severe impact on patients’ lives and the ethical breaches committed by the accused, who allegedly operated within the oncology departments of prestigious hospitals in Delhi and Gurgaon.
Details from the chargesheet reveal heartbreaking accounts, such as a patient from Bihar who lost his wife to cancer complications shortly after administering the counterfeit drug. The victim’s husband had purchased the medication through an online marketplace, Indiamart, unaware of its fraudulent nature.
The accused, identified as individuals associated with prominent hospitals including Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Millennium Cancer Center in Gurgaon, and Venkateshwar Hospital in Delhi, allegedly misappropriated these medications for personal gain. They reportedly acquired empty vials for nominal prices, refilled them with inferior substances, and sold them at exorbitant rates ranging from Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000 per injection.
Police investigations further revealed that several accused individuals utilized Indiamart to promote and facilitate the sale of these counterfeit drugs, deceiving both patients and healthcare providers alike. The chargesheet includes damning evidence of their operations and interactions with suppliers and online platforms.
The gravity of the situation has prompted calls for stringent regulatory measures and enhanced oversight within the healthcare sector. Authorities have taken swift action, arresting twelve individuals involved in the racket, including pharmacists and hospital staff directly responsible for drug mixing and administration.
The case has also prompted responses from implicated hospitals, who have been served notices and are cooperating with the investigation. Their responses, included in the chargesheet, corroborate the misappropriation of cancer medications from their facilities, highlighting systemic vulnerabilities in drug management protocols.
As the legal process unfolds, questions about patient safety, healthcare ethics, and regulatory reforms loom large. The Delhi Police’s efforts to bring justice to the victims and hold accountable those responsible for this grievous breach of trust are commendable amidst the unfolding tragedy.
Stay informed about the latest developments in this evolving story, as efforts continue to safeguard patient rights and restore integrity to India’s healthcare system.