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.
Central Drugs Standard Control Organization — central regulator.
Locator: nabl-india.org → Search Pharma + Drug Testing.
Cost: ₹3,000-₹15,000 per medicine. Turn-around: 7-15 days.
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.
Useful RTI Wiki tools:
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.
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| “Branded = automatically genuine.” | Counterfeits often imitate branded packaging. |
| “Pharmacy chain = safe.” | Even chains have substandard sourcing. Verify batch. |
| “Lab test costs too much.” | NABL ₹3-15k. Recoverable in consumer court. |
| “CDSCO doesn't act.” | NSQ alerts + recalls happen monthly. |
| “Online pharmacy unregulated.” | Same D&C Act + IT Rules 2021. |
| “Fake medicine is rare.” | 13-25% estimated of Indian pharmacy stock. |
Fake medicines in 2026 are real, dangerous, regulated. D&C Act + CDSCO + State Drugs Controllers + NPPA + CPA 2019 + BNS criminal provisions combine to give consumers strong recourse. Defence is package + bill photograph + DAVA verify + 7-day complaint + NABL test if needed. Don't delay; lives depend on this.
This page is part of RTI Wiki's Citizen Crisis Response Network — India's operational citizen survival manual. Updates tracked through CDSCO advisories, NPPA orders, NCDRC awards, and CIC decisions.