100 Cancer Patients Unknowingly Sold Diverted Drugs in Multi-State Racket

Investigators in New Delhi probing a multi-state racket busted in August have found that nearly 100 cancer patients unknowingly bought treatment drugs diverted from legitimate supply chains, which were originally meant for other patients. Police revealed that the medicines reached buyers through an alleged illegal distribution network without the knowledge of the individuals seeking care.

Patients and relatives questioned by investigators stated that they had no idea the sellers were part of an alleged racket. They informed police that they had no reason to suspect that the vials sold to them were originally allocated and issued for other individuals.

Authorities suspect the total number of affected patients could be significantly higher than the count confirmed so far. Most of the patients traced up to this point are from Haryana, while some belong to another state.

To trace the illicit chain, investigators are working backwards through hospital records, chemist shop logs, and patient registries. The probe aims to establish where each vial originated, identify who diverted the stock, and determine how the medicines were passed on until they eventually reached other patients.

Three chemist shops and four private hospitals across Haryana and Telangana have so far been identified as locations from which the medicines were allegedly misappropriated. A source indicated that most of the patients for whom the vials had been legitimately issued were also from Haryana, but their assigned medicines were siphoned off and sold to others.

Police have already examined several of the patients for whom the vials were originally prescribed. Investigators stated that examining the potential medical consequences of the diverted medications has now become a critical component of the ongoing probe.