# Counterfeit versions of Keytruda, a blockbuster cancer immunotherapy, have been detected in multiple markets, including in India-linked supply chains.

*business · news · 2026-04-13 · Business Today*

## Key points

- Counterfeit Keytruda has been detected in India-linked supply chains before biosimilars are legally available.
- WHO issued a global alert in November 2024 warning falsified Keytruda poses significant public health risks.
- US authorities sentenced an Indian national in March 2024 for trafficking counterfeit Keytruda with no active ingredient.
- Indian drug regulators have increased surveillance and batch testing in response to global counterfeit alerts.
- Counterfeit oncology drugs are entering markets before patent expiry, mirroring trends seen with Ozempic.

**Companies:** Merck & Co., Novo Nordisk, Biocon, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories, Cipla, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company
**Countries:** India, United States

[Read the full story on Business Today](https://www.businesstoday.in/industry/pharma/story/are-counterfeit-cancer-drugs-entering-india-before-patent-expiry-keytruda-raises-safety-concerns-525362-2026-04-13)

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