SIT widens fake drug probe to hospitals, traces supply chain beyond Karnataka
The SIT probing Bengaluru's fake medicine racket is examining hospitals that bought drugs from the accused and tracing a supply chain that may extend beyond Karnataka.
The Special Investigation Team (SIT) investigating the fake medicine racket in Bengaluru has shifted part of its attention to the hospitals that purchased medicines from the accused, examining the consequences of the sale and use of those drugs.
Medicines allegedly routed through the racket were sold to a number of hospitals in the city, and these institutions have been issued notices seeking details and explanations about their purchases.
Investigators are looking at whether the hospitals knew the nature and origin of the medicines, and whether any rules or mandatory procedures were broken during procurement. The circumstances in which the hospitals bought the medicines at relatively low prices are also under scrutiny.
In parallel, the Drugs Control Department has sought the Central government's help in examining ways to regulate and cap the prices of medicines.
Supply chain under the scanner
The SIT is broadening its inquiry into the distribution network, which is suspected to have spread beyond Karnataka into other states. Investigators are tracing the supply chain to identify additional dealers, distributors and purchasers linked to the racket. Pharmaceutical companies have also been summoned for questioning to establish their possible role.
The team is not ruling out the possibility that accused Prashanth has an international network. His overseas connections, along with his financial and business links, are being examined to determine whether the racket had any international dimension.
Statements of the accused
Investigators are also reviewing the statements of six accused persons arrested earlier in the case. According to investigators, the accused have allegedly identified Prashanth as the person who supervised key aspects of the operation, including the procurement and distribution of medicines and the relabelling of drugs.
Prashanth is being questioned on the basis of these statements and other evidence gathered during the probe. Investigators are trying to establish how the alleged network functioned, how tasks were assigned, and who was responsible for sourcing, repackaging, labelling and distributing the medicines.