Fake Drug Network Probe Triggers PHANA Alert for Private Hospitals
Following the discovery of a suspected fake drug network near Bengaluru, PHANA has asked private hospitals to tighten medicine checks, maintain batch records and isolate suspicious products.
The discovery of a suspected fake drug network near Bengaluru has prompted the Private Hospitals and Nursing Homes Association to step up medicine safety measures across private healthcare facilities.
PHANA has issued precautionary guidelines to around 4,500 hospitals under its network. The association has asked hospitals to review medicines stored in their pharmacies, medical stores, procurement departments and clinical units, with particular attention to batch numbers and product details.
Hospitals have been advised to compare the batch numbers of medicines seized during the investigation with their existing stock. Any matching or suspicious product should immediately be taken out of circulation and kept separately until the matter is verified by the relevant authorities.
The association has also stressed caution during future medicine purchases. Hospitals should source medicines only from licensed manufacturers, authorised distributors and verified suppliers. Products received at hospitals should be checked for their name, brand, batch number, manufacturing date and expiry date before being added to stock.
Packaging also needs close attention. Any unusual change in a medicine label, vial, packaging or other identifying information should be treated seriously. Such medicines should not be administered to patients and must be separated from regular stock.
PHANA has further asked hospitals to preserve relevant evidence, including empty vials, drug labels and other records whenever a suspicious medicine is identified. The aim is to ensure that investigators can trace the product without losing important information.
Maintaining proper batch wise records is another key part of the advisory. Hospitals should retain purchase invoices and record where each batch was sourced, when it entered the hospital and where it was subsequently used.
A clear trail from procurement to storage and patient use can help hospitals quickly identify the source and movement of a questionable medicine. PHANA has therefore urged hospitals not to use any medicine they suspect to be counterfeit and to promptly inform the appropriate authorities.
The advisory comes as the investigation into the suspected fake drug network continues. PHANA said stronger checks at the purchasing, storage and usage stages are essential to protect patients and prevent questionable medicines from entering clinical use.
