Viral Video of Unhygienic Medicine Vial Recycling Falsely Attributed to India

A video circulating widely on social media purportedly showing unsanitary cleaning practices in the Indian pharmaceutical industry has been proven to originate from Pakistan, not India. The footage, which has sparked concerns about safety standards in pharmaceutical manufacturing, shows glass medicine vials being washed in visibly dirty water under dubious conditions.

In the video, a sarcastic voiceover describes the operation as “India’s most sterile and trustworthy vial rebirth centre,” claiming it represents not mere glass recycling but “a full spiritual cleansing for medical waste.” The clip was shared across various platforms with captions specifically linking it to Indian pharmaceutical practices.

A thorough investigation by India Today’s Fact Check team has conclusively determined the video’s Pakistani origin through multiple pieces of evidence found within the footage itself.

The investigation began by reverse-searching key frames from the viral video, which led to an earlier upload on YouTube by a channel called “Work Skill Masters” from November 28. While this original posting didn’t specify the location, careful examination of the video revealed telling details about its true origin.

Several medicine vials visible in the footage carry labels printed in Urdu, which is uncommon for pharmaceutical products manufactured in India. In one particularly revealing frame, an empty vial with the label “Zecef” is clearly visible—an injectable medication produced by Bosch Pharmaceuticals Private Limited, a company based in Karachi’s Korangi industrial area. According to the company’s distribution information, Bosch supplies its pharmaceutical products exclusively within Pakistan and does not export them internationally.

Further evidence emerged upon closer inspection of other items in the facility. Workers can be seen handling sacks bearing the name “Lucky Core Industries Limited,” a well-known Pakistani conglomerate headquartered in Karachi with diverse operations across polyester, pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, soda ash, and veterinary medicines.

Additional confirmation came from another sack labeled “Nayab Maida” (flour) visible in the footage. Research revealed this to be a Pakistani brand of flour produced by Maqsood Flour Mill based in Lahore, with products available on Pakistani e-commerce platforms.

The misattribution of this video to India raises concerns about misinformation and its potential impact on perceptions of the pharmaceutical industry. India is one of the world’s largest producers of generic medicines, exporting to more than 200 countries and supplying approximately 20% of the global generic drug supply. The country’s pharmaceutical sector is valued at approximately $50 billion and is projected to reach $130 billion by 2030.

India’s pharmaceutical industry operates under the regulatory oversight of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), which enforces Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards in production facilities. Major Indian pharmaceutical companies maintain facilities that meet international standards, including those required by the U.S. FDA and European regulators for export markets.

While the exact location and date of the footage remain unverified, the cumulative evidence clearly establishes its Pakistani origin. The practice shown in the video—recycling used medical vials in unsanitary conditions—represents a serious public health concern regardless of location, potentially exposing patients to contamination and infection risks.

Health authorities generally recommend against reusing medical vials designed for single use, as proper sterilization requires specialized equipment and protocols that appear absent in the facility shown in the footage.

This incident highlights the importance of verifying claims before sharing content on social media, especially when allegations involve public health and safety matters across international boundaries.