Ahmedabad authorities have dismantled a counterfeit drug syndicate selling fake 'Nicardia Retard 10', a blood pressure medication manufactured by JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals. Officials have seized over 1,200 strips and estimate roughly 15,000 illicit tablets reached the market. The case highlights supply chain risks for pharma brands, though the manufacturer initiated the complaint to protect product integrity.
The Ahmedabad Crime Branch, in coordination with the Food and Drugs Control Administration (FDCA), has dismantled an interstate syndicate involved in the distribution of counterfeit blood pressure medication. The investigation centers on fake batches of 'Nicardia Retard 10', a product originally manufactured by JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. Authorities identified the specific counterfeit stock as bearing batch number ACG25007.
Investigation and Chain of Custody
The crackdown followed a formal complaint filed by JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals Ltd on August 19, 2026, after the company became aware of the illicit product circulating in the market. Law enforcement agencies traced the supply chain to a production facility in Uttarakhand. The fake medication was routed through Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, before being distributed to various medical stores across Gujarat, including locations in Nadiad, Bhavnagar, and Bhuj. Police have arrested three individuals in connection with the racket: Dashil Sanghvi, based in Ahmedabad, along with Devendra Yadav and Umang Rastogi from Lucknow. The Ahmedabad Metro Court has granted a seven-day police remand for the suspects as the investigation continues.
Impact on Supply Chain and Consumer Safety
Law enforcement officials estimate that approximately 15,000 counterfeit tablets were sold to patients in Gujarat over the last four months. Authorities have successfully recovered 1,200 strips of the medication from the supply chain, which includes several local medical retailers. This incident underscores a critical challenge for pharmaceutical companies regarding supply chain security. While JB Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals acted as the complainant to alert authorities and protect its brand, the distribution of fake medication remains a significant concern for the healthcare sector.
For investors and stakeholders, the primary monitorable in such cases is how companies strengthen their distribution channels and quality control protocols to prevent counterfeiters from infiltrating the medical supply chain. Fake medication poses a severe risk to public health, as such products may contain substandard or inactive ingredients that fail to treat the patient's condition effectively. As the probe expands with teams deployed across multiple states, the focus remains on identifying the primary manufacturing source and the machinery used to produce these unauthorized goods. Further updates are expected as authorities track the remaining illicit inventory.