Fake medicines flood Odisha markets: 168 spurious drugs detected in 4 Years

In a concerning revelation about public health safety, the Odisha government has disclosed alarming data regarding the circulation of fake and substandard medicines across the state.

According to a written reply submitted by the Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling in the Odisha Legislative Assembly, a total of 168 counterfeit and 388 substandard medicines have been identified in the state over the last four years, raising serious concerns among consumers and healthcare professionals.

Between 2021 and 2024–25, authorities have seized counterfeit medicines worth over Rs 2.5 crore, highlighting the scale of illegal pharmaceutical operations flourishing in the open market. 

The Health Minister’s report indicates that 79 fake medicines were detected in 2021, 64 in 2022, 14 in 2023, and 11 so far in 2024, along with hundreds of low-quality drugs failing standard testing parameters.

The disclosure has triggered anxiety among the public, many of whom depend on local pharmacies for essential medication. Experts warn that such adulterated or falsely labelled medicines pose severe risks, including treatment failure, drug resistance, and life-threatening complications.

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Health officials emphasised that continuous raids, quality inspections, and strict legal action are underway to curb the menace. However, consumer organisations argue that stronger enforcement, regular testing, and public awareness are urgently needed to dismantle the counterfeit drug network.