BENGALURU: Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized spurious medicines worth more than Rs 5 crore from an unlicensed facility near the Bidadi toll gate. Officials said the drug-control wing found medicines being repackaged and relabelled to resemble products sold by multinational pharmaceutical companies. The premises were allegedly operating without a valid licence.

Officials said the seized stock was being repacked and relabelled in a way that could make it appear to be genuine branded medicine. The operation has raised concerns over the possible circulation of counterfeit drugs and the health risks they could pose if they enter the regular supply chain. Authorities have not yet released the full list of medicines or brands allegedly copied.

Investigators are examining the seized material and records from the premises to understand how the operation functioned and whether other people or locations were involved.

The seized medicines were valued at more than Rs 5 crore. Officials said the facility lacked a valid licence and was allegedly being used for repackaging and relabelling medicines with branding resembling that of multinational pharmaceutical firms.

The investigation is now focused on tracing the source of the drugs, identifying those connected to the operation and finding the intended distribution network. Authorities are also expected to examine packaging material, labels, storage records and supply links to determine whether any of the stock had already entered the market.

The seizure comes amid a broader crackdown by Karnataka’s Food Safety and Drug Administration. Recent inspections have targeted canteens, restaurants, storage facilities and other establishments over alleged hygiene and safety violations. Raids have also uncovered expired food items, poor storage conditions and pest-control lapses at several locations.

The state has also moved to strengthen public reporting by requiring eateries and pharmacies to display QR codes that allow consumers to lodge food and drug safety complaints.

Officials are continuing to trace where the seized medicines came from and where they were meant to be sold. The probe is expected to examine financial records, packaging equipment, suppliers and possible sales channels.

The case has renewed concerns over counterfeit medicines, especially when fake products are made to resemble trusted pharmaceutical brands. Further action may follow if investigators find evidence of a larger network linked to the seized stock.