Is Your Cancer Drug Real? Delhi Raids Raise Alarm

The Drug Control Department of Delhi has launched a special drive to check for fake or poor-quality cancer drugs being sold near top hospitals in the city. This follows a recent police bust of a large, illegal network selling unregistered and counterfeit cancer drugs to unsuspecting patients.

What Triggered the Crackdown?

Earlier this month, the Delhi Police Crime Branch exposed a well-organized racket dealing in spurious and unauthorised cancer medicines. The operation uncovered how patients, already fighting cancer, were being given ineffective or potentially harmful drugs.
In response, the Drug Control Department took suo motu (self-initiated) action. Raids were carried out at 40 drug distribution centres near major hospitals such as AIIMS, Safdarjung, Lok Nayak, and Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute.

Where Were the Raids Conducted?

The focus was on areas around key cancer hospitals and major drug markets, including:

South Delhi: Around AIIMS and Safdarjung Hospital
Central Delhi: Near Lok Nayak Hospital
Darya Ganj and Bhagirath Place: Known for wholesale medicine trade
Rohini and East Delhi: Around Rajiv Gandhi Hospital and Laxmi Nagar

These areas are known hubs where patients and families often buy cancer medications at discounted rates.

What Did Officials Find?

Out of the 40 shops raided, violations were discovered in 15 outlets. Some shops had missing or unclear billing records, while others could not provide proper documentation for the medicines they were selling.
Officials confirmed that legal actions have already been initiated against these violators under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945. Further action, including court prosecution, will follow if any samples are found to be fake or substandard.

What Drugs Are Being Tested?

So far, over 160 samples have been collected and more than 70% are cancer-related medicines. The samples have been sent to accredited laboratories both in Delhi and outside the city for quality testing. Results are expected within 3 to 4 weeks.

Some of the key drugs under scrutiny include:

Veenat 400 (Imatinib) – Used to treat various types of cancers and blood disorders
Imatinib 100 mg – Works by stopping the growth of cancer cells
Capegard 500 – Used in breast, colon, and rectal cancer
Armotraz – A breast cancer medicine for postmenopausal women
Leukocel 500 (Hydroxyurea) – Treats chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
Cycloxan – Used for cancer treatment and certain kidney conditions

Why Is This a Serious Concern?

Health officials explained that Delhi acts as a transit point for fake medicines. Areas like Bhagirath Place serve as channels through which counterfeit drugs reach other parts of the country such as Agra, Patna, and cities in Jharkhand — where such incidents are reportedly higher.
In Delhi, although retailers are generally more cautious, this drive shows that even trusted medical zones are not completely safe from illegal practices.

What Happens Next?

If the lab reports confirm that any of the seized drugs are spurious, counterfeit, or of poor quality, the department has committed to taking strict legal action. This may include prosecution of the offenders, shutting down of involved shops, and stronger monitoring of high-risk zones.

Conclusion

This enforcement drive sends a clear message: Patient safety is a top priority. With cancer patients already going through difficult treatments, ensuring the quality and authenticity of their medicines is critical. Authorities are now closely watching the supply chain from wholesalers to street-level pharmacies to ensure that only genuine and approved cancer drugs are available in the market.

Source: Inputs from various media Sources

I’m a pharmacist with a strong background in health sciences. I hold a BSc from Delhi University and a pharmacy degree from PDM University. I write articles and daily health news while interviewing doctors to bring you the latest insights. In my free time, you’ll find me at the gym or lost in a sci-fi novel.