Vins Bioproducts Files Police Complaint Over Alleged Counterfeit Snake Venom Antiserum in Goa
Vins Bioproducts Limited, a company headquartered in Telangana, has formally approached the Panaji police, seeking the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) and a thorough investigation into the alleged supply of counterfeit, adulterated, or spurious snake venom antiserum to the Goa Directorate of Health Services (DHS). This serious complaint highlights potential risks to public health and fraudulent activities within the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
The company's complaint centers on unidentified individuals or entities who are purportedly producing fake drugs under the guise of snake venom antiserum IP (Lyophilised) – 10ml. These counterfeit products are being marketed in the name of Vins Bioproducts Limited without any authorisation or consent. Furthermore, the complaint alleges that these parties have fraudulently participated in tender processes conducted by the Goa Directorate of Health Services, misrepresenting themselves as the legitimate company.
Discovery and Immediate Actions
Vins Bioproducts was first alerted to the issue on January 13, when it received information that a counterfeit product had been supplied to the DHS under its name. In response, the company dispatched an authorised representative to Goa the following day to conduct an inquiry. Upon inspecting the products supplied to the DHS, the representative discovered that the batch numbers and details on the antiserum vials matched those of products previously supplied by Vins Bioproducts to the Bihar government on March 22, 2025. Crucially, no such supply had been delivered to Goa by the company.
On January 14, Vins Bioproducts sent an email to the DHS, formally notifying them that the supplied products were counterfeit. The company pointed out discrepancies in the packaging and noted that the licence number on the labels did not match those on the mono cartons. Suspecting forgery, the company urgently requested the DHS to halt the usage of these vials and to provide 38 samples for testing and analysis to confirm their authenticity.
Regulatory and Legal Escalation
In a swift response, the DHS informed Vins Bioproducts that it had immediately frozen 1,081 vials of the suspected drug and ceased distribution to any hospitals or healthcare centers across Goa. This preventive measure aims to mitigate any potential health risks associated with the counterfeit antiserum.
Beyond the police complaint, Vins Bioproducts has escalated the matter to key regulatory bodies. The company has filed complaints with:
- The Drugs Controller General (India) zonal office in Hyderabad
- The enforcement cell division of the drug department in New Delhi
- The Central Drug Laboratory in Kasauli, Himachal Pradesh
These actions underscore the company's commitment to seeking immediate regulatory and legal intervention to address this serious issue and prevent further distribution of fraudulent pharmaceuticals.
The case underscores growing concerns about drug counterfeiting in India, posing significant threats to public health and the integrity of medical supplies. Authorities are now tasked with investigating the source of these fake products and ensuring accountability to safeguard patient safety.
