Karnataka health dept to monitor cancer patients after fake drug bust

Karnataka health officials will begin tracking cancer patients after a major seizure of counterfeit medicines. ## Patient Tracking Officials will check records of cancer patients in private hospitals and call them to verify health status, noting some may have unknowingly bought fake drugs. ## Reference Standards The department wrote to Pfizer asking for its reference standards so labs can differentiate fake from genuine drugs; Pfizer has not replied, leading to a request to the Union government for assistance. ## Legal Action Licences of 16 retail and wholesale pharmaceutical firms were cancelled and eight were suspended. The department is considering filing cases against manufacturers, distributors and shop owners under Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which carries life imprisonment or five‑to‑ten years for intent to cause death or serious injury. ## Upcoming Conclave An all‑India health conclave will be held in Bengaluru in the third week of October, bringing together health ministers, FSDA and FSSAI officials and other stakeholders to decide strong actions against counterfeit drugs.