India, Oct. 28 -- The Maharashtra government has purchased eight counterfeit-drug detection machines to verify the quality of medicines distributed through its health system and prevent substandard or counterfeit medicines from reaching patients, according to a report updated on Oct. 27, 2026. Maharashtra health minister Prakash Abitkar said the device will play a key role in efforts to combat spurious and counterfeit medicines within the state health system.
Device and cost
The report described the machines as handheld devices that can detect spurious tablets, syrups and injections within minutes.
Key details provided in the report include:
* Number of devices purchased: Eight
* Cost per device: ₹1.2 crore
* Method: Using reference dru...