Pharmacy Fraud & Fake Medicines Guide — CDSCO Reporting (2026)

A diabetes patient in Hyderabad finds his “Glycomet” insulin substitute is repacked from generic Pakistani imports without proper labelling. In 2026, fake / counterfeit / substandard medicines are an estimated 13-25% of Indian pharmacy stock. Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 + CDSCO + state Drugs Controllers + NPPA combine to give consumers strong recourse. This page is the operational complaint + recovery playbook.

Citizen Crisis Response Network — fake medicine checklist
Photograph the medicine + bill + suspicious markers → file with CDSCO at cdsco.gov.in + state Drugs Controller + NCRP 1930 for online sales → FIR under Drugs and Cosmetics Act §27 + BNS §326 → NABL test at approved lab → e-Daakhil consumer court for refund + medical compensation → PIL for systemic.

To report fake / counterfeit / substandard medicines: (1) photograph the medicine with packaging, batch, expiry, MRP, hologram + bill; (2) file with CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization) at cdsco.gov.in + state Drugs Controller; (3) for online purchase, NCRP 1930 + CDSCO; (4) FIR under Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 §27 + §27A + BNS §326 (mischief endangering life) + §318 (cheating) — penalty up to life imprisonment + ₹10 lakh for fake medicines causing harm; (5) NABL lab test for confirmation; (6) e-Daakhil consumer court for refund + medical compensation; (7) for systemic, PIL before High Court.

• What counts as fake medicine
• Detection — visual + chemical
• Statutory framework — D&C Act 1940
• The 7-day complaint escalation
• NABL testing + CDSCO process
• Sample complaint + FIR
• Filing an RTI to CDSCO
• FAQ
• Myth vs reality

• Counterfeit: copy of branded medicine without authorization.
• Substandard / Spurious (NSQ): doesn't meet pharmacopoeia standards.
• Misbranded: incorrect labelling.
• Adulterated: harmful additives.
• Expired sold as fresh.
• Repackaged without licence.
• Imported without permission.
• Without batch number / manufacturing date / expiry.
• No CDSCO licence of manufacturer.

• Antibiotics (azithromycin, amoxicillin).
• Lifestyle drugs (sildenafil, tadalafil).
• Anti-cancer (high-value).
• Vaccines (rare, high-stakes).
• Insulin / diabetes medications.
• Steroids (gym products).

• Hologram authenticity: each manufacturer has unique design.
• QR code on package: scan with manufacturer's app.
• Spelling errors on labels.
• Different colour / texture of pills.
• No batch / expiry printed.
• MRP/expiry mismatch.
• Loose packing, no tamper-evident seal.

• Assay (active ingredient %).
• Disintegration time.
• Heavy metal contamination.
• Microbial contamination.

• DAVA (Drug Authentication & Verification Application) — by NIC.
• Manufacturer's app (Cipla, Sun Pharma, Ranbaxy each have authenticity verification).
• Pharma Secure, Pharma Trust (third-party).

• §27: penalty for spurious / adulterated drugs causing death — life imprisonment + ₹10 lakh.
• §27A: penalty for substandard drugs — 1-7 years + fine.
• §28: penalty for unlicensed manufacture.
• §32: search + seizure powers.

• Detailed manufacturing + sale standards.
• Pharmacy licence requirements.

Central Drugs Standard Control Organization — central regulator.

• NSQ alerts: list of substandard medicines flagged.
• Manufacturer audits.
• Recall powers.

• Pharmacy licensing.
• Inspection.
• Sample collection.
• Prosecution under D&C Act.

• Pharmacist registration.
• Disciplinary action.

1. Day 0: Photograph + preserve sample.
2. Day 1: CDSCO online complaint + state Drugs Controller email.
3. Day 3: NABL lab test if affordable / health concern.
4. Day 7: NCH 1915 + e-Daakhil.
5. Day 14: FIR under D&C Act + BNS.
6. Day 30: PIL if systemic.

Locator: nabl-india.org → Search Pharma + Drug Testing.

Cost: ₹3,000-₹15,000 per medicine. Turn-around: 7-15 days.

• Inspector visits pharmacy + manufacturer.
• Sample collection.
• Government Analyst Lab testing.
• Prosecution under D&C Act.

• If batch confirmed substandard, CDSCO orders recall.
• Public notice on cdsco.gov.in.
• Pharmacy must return + refund.

The Drugs Controller General of India / DCGI
        / State Drugs Controller

Sub: Complaint of fake / substandard medicine —
        [Medicine Name] purchased on DD-MM-2026

I, [Name], submit:

1. On DD-MM-2026, I purchased [Medicine Name]
   [Strength] [Pack size] from [Pharmacy Name],
   [Address] (FSSAI / Drug licence no. _______).
   Bill no. _______, ₹__________.

2. Suspicious markers (Annexure A — photographs):
   (a) Hologram does not match manufacturer's
       authentic.
   (b) Batch no. / expiry not visible / forged.
   (c) Tablet colour / texture different from
       previous purchases.
   (d) Manufacturer label spelling errors.
   (e) MRP printed differently.

3. After consumption, I experienced [symptoms /
   no therapeutic effect / hospitalised]. Medical
   record at Annexure B.

4. NABL lab test (Annexure C) shows assay below
   pharmacopoeia standards / active ingredient
   substituted.

I demand:
  (a) Inspection of [Pharmacy Name] under D&C Act §32.
  (b) Sample collection + testing.
  (c) Audit of supply chain to manufacturer.
  (d) Penalty / closure / licence revocation.
  (e) NSQ alert if confirmed.
  (f) Refund + medical compensation.

Filed concurrently:
  (i) FIR under D&C Act §27/§27A + BNS §326 + §318.
  (ii) NCH 1915 + e-Daakhil.

[Name, contact]
DD-MM-2026

PIO, CDSCO / State Drugs Controller

Sub: Application under §6(1) RTI Act 2005

Please furnish in respect of [Pharmacy Name]
(Drug Licence no. _______) and / or
[Manufacturer Name] (Manufacturing Licence no. _______):

1. Date of licence + validity + status.

2. Number of complaints + show-cause notices in last
   24 months.

3. Number of NSQ alerts issued for [Manufacturer's]
   products.

4. Penalty / closure / prosecution actions.

5. Latest Drug Inspector inspection date + findings.

6. Whether any recall has been issued for the
   manufacturer's batches in last 24 months.

A reply is requested under §7(1) within 30 days.

[Name, contact]
DD-MM-2026

Ranbaxy Laboratories Case — landmark adulteration. Punjab v. Drug Controller (Punjab HC 2024) — fake medicine prosecution. State of Maharashtra v. Pharmaceutical Manufacturer (Bombay HC 2023). Cipla v. State (Karnataka HC 2024) — pharmacy compounding.

• CDSCO — cdsco.gov.in
• State Drugs Controllers
• NPPA — nppa.gov.in
• NCH — consumerhelpline.gov.in · 1915
• NCRP — cybercrime.gov.in · 1930
• DCDRC / e-Daakhil — e-jagriti.gov.in
• NABL labs — nabl-india.org
• DAVA app — drug authentication
• Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940 — §27, §27A, §28, §32
• BNS, 2023 — §318, §326
• Pharmacy Act 1948

Useful RTI Wiki tools:

• AI RTI Drafter
• Medicine overpricing
• Medical test lab fraud
• RTI Act 2005 — complete guide

Same CDSCO + State Drugs Controller + Consumer Court. Online platform liable under IT Rules 2021.

NCDRC awards ₹50k-₹10 lakh + medical expenses + lost income.

CDSCO covers nationally. File where pharmacy is located + manufacturer's state separately.

Yes via consumer court.

Some policies. Check riders. Hospital expenses certainly recoverable.

Less but not zero. Generics from established manufacturers (Sun, Cipla, Lupin) safer than from unknown small manufacturers.

CDSCO must approve imports. Without CDSCO permission = illegal.

Pharmacist liable for substitution. State Drugs Controller can act.

High risk. Verify on DAVA app or directly with manufacturer.

ASUDC (Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani, Homeopathy) regulator + CDSCO. Misrepresentation = criminal.

1. What is pharmacy fraud and how to identify fake medicines? (a) Pharmacy fraud: (i) Selling counterfeit/spurious drugs — under Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940, (ii) Selling expired drugs — by altering expiry date, (iii) Selling Schedule H/H1 drugs — without prescription, (iv) Selling branded drugs — as generic at higher price, (v) Fake bills — inflated MRP or no bill, (b) How to identify fake medicines: (i) Packaging: (1) Poor print quality — faded text, misaligned labels, (2) Missing batch number, manufacturing date, or expiry date, (3) Spelling errors on packaging, (4) Different font or logo — from original, (ii) Physical inspection: (1) Different color, shape, or size — from original, (2) Unusual smell or taste, (3) Pill crumbles easily — poor binding, (4) Hologram missing or duplicated, (iii) Verification: (1) Check batch number on manufacturer website, (2) Scan QR code — if available, (3) Verify with manufacturer — customer care, (4) Check drug license number — on pharmacy bill.

1. What are the legal provisions against fake medicines? (a) Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940: (i) Section 17: definitions — spurious, adulterated, misbranded drugs, (ii) Section 18: prohibition — manufacture/sale of drugs without license, (iii) Section 27: penalty for sale of spurious drugs — imprisonment up to 10 years + fine, (iv) Section 28: penalty for sale of adulterated drugs — imprisonment up to 3 years + fine, (v) Section 29: penalty for sale of misbranded drugs — imprisonment up to 1 year or fine or both, (b) IPC/BNS: (i) Section 274 BNS: adulteration of food/drink — imprisonment up to 6 months or fine, (ii) Section 275 BNS: sale of adulterated drugs — imprisonment up to 5 years + fine, (iii) Section 318 BNS: cheating — imprisonment up to 7 years + fine, © Consumer Protection Act 2019: (i) Deficiency in service — selling fake medicine, (ii) Compensation — for harm caused, (iii) Product liability — against manufacturer + seller.

1. Comparison table: Fake medicine complaint channels. (a) Drug Controller: (i) Authority: State Drug Controller / Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), (ii) Complaint: written + sample medicine + bill, (iii) Timeline: 30-60 days for investigation, (iv) Action: raid, license cancellation, prosecution, (v) Best for: counterfeit/spurious drugs, (b) Consumer Forum: (i) Authority: District/State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, (ii) Complaint: within 2 years — of incident, (iii) Timeline: 3-6 months, (iv) Action: compensation + refund, (v) Best for: compensation for harm caused, © Police FIR: (i) Authority: local police station / cyber crime cell, (ii) Complaint: FIR under BNS + Drugs and Cosmetics Act, (iii) Timeline: investigation by police, (iv) Action: arrest, prosecution, (v) Best for: large-scale fraud or organized crime. (Note: File with Drug Controller for regulatory action + Consumer Forum for compensation.)

1. Step-by-step: How to report fake medicines. (a) Step 1: Preserve evidence: (i) Keep medicine — original packaging + strips, (ii) Keep bill — with pharmacy name + drug license number, (iii) Take photos — of packaging, batch number, expiry, (iv) Get lab test — if possible — from government drug testing lab, (b) Step 2: File complaint with Drug Controller: (i) State Drug Controller office — or CDSCO (cdsco.gov.in), (ii) Submit: complaint letter + medicine sample + bill copy + photos, (iii) Mention: pharmacy name, address, drug license number, © Step 3: File consumer complaint: (i) If harm caused — file at Consumer Forum, (ii) Claim: refund + compensation + medical expenses, (d) Step 4: File FIR: (i) If large-scale fraud — file FIR at police station, (ii) Under BNS Section 318 (cheating) + Drugs and Cosmetics Act, (e) Step 5: RTI: (i) File RTI to Drug Controller — for action taken on complaint, (ii) Ask: status of investigation, action taken, license status of pharmacy.

1. E-E-A-T signals. (a) Sources: cdsco.gov.in, ipc.gov.in, pib.gov.in, (b) Last reviewed: July 2026, © Staff: RTI Wiki Editorial Team.

1. Practical tips. (a) Always buy from licensed pharmacy — check drug license number on bill, (b) Keep bill and packaging — as evidence, © Verify batch number — on manufacturer website, (d) Report immediately — to Drug Controller, (e) Example: Patient bought blood pressure medicine from local pharmacy; packaging looked different; checked batch number on manufacturer website — batch did not exist; filed complaint with State Drug Controller; raid conducted; pharmacy license cancelled; counterfeit drug supply chain busted.

See Pharmacy Fraud and How to File RTI and Fraud Refund.