Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
Section 277
Sale of adulterated drugs
Whoever, knowing any drug or medical preparation to have been adulterated in such a manner as to lessen its efficacy, to change its operation, or to render it noxious, sells the same, or offers or exposes it for sale, or issues it from any dispensary for medicinal purposes as unadulterated, or causes it to be used for medicinal purposes by any person not knowing of the adulteration, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
Why this exists
This section targets the separate link in the chain from the previous one — not the person who tampers with the drug, but anyone downstream who knowingly sells or distributes it anyway without disclosure. It continues the old IPC Section 275, ensuring that knowledge of a drug's adulteration creates a duty not to pass it on unknowingly to patients.