What is the common examiner trap about Social Issues in UPSC exams?

They may ask which agency investigated the case, mixing up Delhi Police (which filed the initial FIR) with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) or the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB). The key is that the ED stepped in for the money laundering angle under PMLA.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Social Issues for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: Official price of Keytruda vial is over ₹1.5 lakh. 2. Target this Nodal Body: Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed the money laundering case. 3. Target this Legal Point: Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is the relevant law for the ED's case.

Social IssuesGovernance

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News 4 of 27

Counterfeit Cancer Drug Keytruda (₹1.5 Lakh/Vial) Racket Exposed; Delhi Police Bust Syndicate, Enforcement Directorate Files PMLA Case

Q: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated a money laundering case in the counterfeit cancer drug racket. Under which primary Act does the ED investigate such cases?

The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, The Enforcement Directorate is the designated agency for enforcing the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. While it also handles FEMA violations, the article specifically mentions a 'case of alleged money laundering', which falls squarely under PMLA.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the counterfeit Keytruda drug racket: 1. The counterfeit vials were refilled with antifungal medication and sold at prices higher than the market rate. 2. The investigation found that empty vials were diverted from hospital biomedical waste disposal systems. 3. The Delhi Police investigation was conducted in association with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 2 and 3, Statement 1 is incorrect as the counterfeit vials were sold at a discount (e.g., ₹90,000) and not higher than the market price (over ₹1.5 lakh). Statement 2 is correct; the racket exploited loopholes in vial disposal. Statement 3 is correct; the article states the investigation was by The Indian Express in association with ICIJ, and Delhi Police conducted the criminal probe.

Q: As per the article, what was the approximate price at which a 100 mg vial of counterfeit Keytruda was being sold?

₹90,000, The article explicitly states that refilled vials were resealed for sale at amounts as low as Rs 90,000 for a 100-mg vial. The official market price is over ₹1.5 lakh, and ₹90,000 represents a 40% discount.

Q: What was identified as a critical systemic loophole in hospitals that enabled the diversion of used Keytruda vials?

Absence of a formal process for counting disposed vials., The article highlights that investigators found a 'critical loophole'—hospitals had no formal process for counting disposed vials, making it 'not practically feasible' to track them. This gap at the point of disposal allowed staff to divert vials without detection, as per hospital records cited.

Social Issues PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IMPSCTeachingSSC GAPrelims HighMains HighStatic GK Link

12 Apr 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:Over ₹1.5 lakh per 100 mg vial₹90,000 counterfeit price12 accused arrested

Bodies:Delhi PoliceEnforcement DirectorateRajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute (RGCIRC)Venkateshwar HospitalFortis Memorial Research InstitutePGIMER

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.An investigation uncovered a syndicate refilling used vials of the cancer drug Keytruda (cost: over ₹1.5 lakh/vial) with antifungal medication and selling them at discounts (e.g., ₹90,000/vial) to desperate patients.

2.Hospital staff, including pharmacists and a nursing team leader from top Delhi hospitals like RGCIRC and Venkateshwar Hospital, were allegedly involved in stealing and leaking vials, exploiting loopholes in biomedical waste disposal protocols.

3.Delhi Police arrested 12 accused, seized counterfeit vials, and the Enforcement Directorate initiated a money laundering case, exposing the nexus between hospital insiders and external distributors in the black market for life-saving drugs.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · High

A major counterfeit medicine racket involving the high-cost immunotherapy drug Keytruda (Pembrolizumab) has been exposed, revealing systemic vulnerabilities in hospital drug disposal and supply chain oversight. The scam, where used vials were refilled with antifungal drugs and sold at a discount, highlights critical gaps in patient safety, drug regulation, and the urgent need for stronger monitoring of high-value medicines in India's healthcare system.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Drug NameKeytruda (Pembrolizumab)

Official Market PriceOver ₹1.5 lakh for a 100 mg vial

Counterfeit Sale PriceAs low as ₹90,000/vial

Key Investigation BodiesDelhi Police, Enforcement Directorate (PMLA)

Main Hospitals InvolvedRajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute (RGCIRC), Venkateshwar Hospital, Fortis Memorial

1-Minute Revision

›Drug Name: Keytruda (Pembrolizumab)
›Official Market Price: Over ₹1.5 lakh for a 100 mg vial
›Target this Data: Official price of Keytruda vial is over ₹1.5 lakh.
›Target this Nodal Body: Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed the money laundering case.
›Target this Legal Point: Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is the relevant law for the ED's case.

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News Snapshot

🩺

Counterfeit Drug Racket

Used vials of the cancer drug Keytruda were refilled with antifungal medication and sold at a 40% discount, duping desperate patients.

⚖️

Enforcement Action

Delhi Police busted a 12-member syndicate and the Enforcement Directorate filed a PMLA case, highlighting the financial crime angle.

🏥

Systemic Loopholes

The scam exploited gaps in hospital protocols for counting and disposing of used vials, with staff from prestigious oncology departments involved.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

India has one of the world's fastest-growing cancer populations, creating a high demand for expensive immunotherapy drugs like Keytruda (Pembrolizumab). The drug's prohibitive cost (over ₹1.5 lakh per vial) and lack of adequate insurance or reimbursement schemes for many patients create a fertile ground for black markets. This case is part of a broader global issue of counterfeit medicines, but it uniquely exposes vulnerabilities within India's top-tier hospital systems.

Core Analysis & Implications

The racket operated through a sophisticated supply chain: hospital staff (pharmacists, nurses) stole used or partially used vials, which were then refilled and repackaged. The investigation, based on 12,500 pages of records, found matching batch numbers between seized counterfeits and drugs administered in hospitals, proving diversion. This exposes critical failures: 1) Lack of vial-counting during biomedical waste disposal, 2) Inadequate CCTV monitoring in sensitive areas, and 3) Weak internal audits. The implications are severe: patient safety is compromised, public trust in healthcare erodes, and it highlights the inequitable access to life-saving treatments, pushing the poor towards dangerous informal markets.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Hospitals like RGCIRC have reportedly implemented corrective measures: defacing labels, using locked cytotoxic waste bins, supervised waste transfer, and allowing patient attendants during drug mixing. Systemically, this case underscores the need for: 1) Mandatory, audited track-and-trace systems for high-value drugs, 2) Stronger enforcement of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act against counterfeiting, 3) Price regulation or inclusion of such drugs in government health schemes to reduce affordability-driven demand for fakes, and 4) Enhanced coordination between drug regulators, police, and financial crime agencies like the ED.

Key Facts at a Glance

Drug NameKeytruda (Pembrolizumab)

Official Market PriceOver ₹1.5 lakh for a 100 mg vial

Counterfeit Sale PriceAs low as ₹90,000/vial

Key Investigation BodiesDelhi Police, Enforcement Directorate (PMLA)

Main Hospitals InvolvedRajiv Gandhi Cancer Institute (RGCIRC), Venkateshwar Hospital, Fortis Memorial

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Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, Banking, State PSC

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated a money laundering case in the counterfeit cancer drug racket. Under which primary Act does the ED investigate such cases?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the counterfeit Keytruda drug racket:

1. The counterfeit vials were refilled with antifungal medication and sold at prices higher than the market rate.

2. The investigation found that empty vials were diverted from hospital biomedical waste disposal systems.

3. The Delhi Police investigation was conducted in association with the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

As per the article, what was the approximate price at which a 100 mg vial of counterfeit Keytruda was being sold?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC

What was identified as a critical systemic loophole in hospitals that enabled the diversion of used Keytruda vials?

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Counterfeit Cancer Drug Keytruda (₹1.5 Lakh/Vial) Racket Exposed; Delhi Police Bust Syndicate, Enforcement Directorate Files PMLA Case

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Counterfeit Drug Racket

Enforcement Action

Systemic Loopholes

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance