Daily Briefing: Express Investigation exposes regulatory gaps in fake cancer drug racket
Indian Express·12h ago·Neutral
What Happened
The Indian Express investigation exposed a black market for cancer drug Keytruda in India. Counterfeit vials were sold to patients at lower prices than legitimate ones costing over Rs 1.5 lakh per vial. A twelve-member syndicate diverted used vials, refilled them with other substances, and resealed them. Hospital staff, pharmacists, and middlemen were involved. Regulatory gaps and loopholes in disposal systems enabled the racket.
Key Entities
Indian ExpressKeytruda (pembrolizumab)Merck & Co.Delhi PoliceCancer drug black marketRs 1.5 lakh per vial