Karnataka minister offers Rs 10,000 reward for fake medicine tips

Karnataka Health Minister U.T. Khader on Thursday appealed to the public to share information about the supply and sale of spurious and fake medicines, announcing cash rewards of Rs 10,000 to those who provide credible leads. The minister made the appeal during an event in Bengaluru, urging citizens to act as informants to help the state's drug control department crack down on counterfeit drug networks.

Khader said the government is committed to ensuring only genuine medicines reach patients, and that any tip-off leading to seizure of fake drugs or arrest of offenders will be rewarded. He did not specify the upper limit of the reward but indicated amounts could vary based on the scale of the operation uncovered. The minister also warned that strict action would be taken against those involved in the manufacture and distribution of fake medicines, which pose a serious risk to public health.

The announcement follows a series of raids by the Karnataka Drugs Control Department in recent months that have unearthed counterfeit drugs in several districts. Officials said the reward scheme is intended to encourage more people to come forward without fear of reprisal. The department has set up a dedicated helpline and email for reporting suspicious activities.