Goa Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against a pharmaceutical distribution company operating from Santa Cruz for allegedly cheating the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) by supplying counterfeit snake anti-venom to the government.
Police officials said the company is accused of misrepresenting the manufacturer of the lyophilised snake anti-venom and using imitation labels and packaging, which resulted in the DHS placing a purchase order worth ₹4.9 crore. Following the complaint, officers from the Food and Drugs Administration seized 1,080 vials of the suspected fake anti-venom. The seized samples have been sent to a laboratory for testing to determine their authenticity and safety.
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Police stated that further investigation is in progress to establish the full extent of the alleged scam and to fix responsibility on all those involved. Authorities have emphasised that strict action will be taken, given the serious threat such offences pose to public health.
