The Truth About Pathology Reports in India – Are You Being Scammed?

Imagine this: You wake up feeling unwell. You book a quick blood test, get a home collection, and receive your report within hours. Sounds convenient, right? But here’s the real question—can you trust that report?

The rise of affordable pathology labs in India has made diagnostics more accessible than ever. But what most people don’t realize is that many of these reports may be completely inaccurate, mishandled, or even fake.

And that’s a serious problem.

What’s Really Going Wrong?

A recent investigation in Delhi’s Mohalla Clinics found that over 65,000 pathology reports were fake—tests that were never actually conducted, with reports generated from pre-filled templates.
(Times of India)

Let that sink in. These aren’t just numbers. These are people—people being misdiagnosed, put on unnecessary medication, or missing out on crucial treatment.
And it’s not just one case.

• In Pune, a pathology lab was caught submitting fake reports to insurance companies—using doctors’ names without their permission. (Pune Mirror)
• In Akola, a doctor found out that a lab forged his signature on patient reports. (Times of India)

It’s terrifying to think that a single fake report could completely change your treatment plan.

Why Do Lab Pathology Reports Go Wrong?

Here’s what’s happening behind the scenes:

🚩 Most centers aren’t labs, just collection points – They take your sample and send it somewhere else for testing.
🚩 Delays in sample processing – Your blood sample might sit for hours (or even overnight) before testing, which affects accuracy.
🚩 No proper accreditation – Many labs lack essential certifications, meaning there’s no guarantee their reports are reliable.
🚩 The infamous “sink tests” – Some unethical labs don’t even test your sample—they throw it away and send a pre-made report template.

And what happens next? Misdiagnosis. Wrong treatments. Unnecessary medications. Delayed detection of real health issues.

How to Protect Yourself from Faulty Reports

Your health is too important to rely on questionable reports. Here’s what you can do:

✔ Verify lab accreditation – Look for NABL-certified labs with a strong reputation.
✔ Ask where your sample will be tested – Many centers outsource testing to unknown third-party labs.
✔ Check sample processing times – Blood samples should be tested immediately for accuracy.
✔ Trust only reputed labs and hospitals – Research and read reviews before choosing a diagnostic center.
✔ Cross-check suspicious reports – If something feels off, get a second test from a trusted lab.

Final Thought: Your Health, Your Responsibility

Diagnostics should help us, not harm us. But with the rise of scam pathology reports, the burden of ensuring accuracy now falls on us as consumers.
Don’t compromise on your health for the sake of convenience or cheap tests.

Choose quality, choose accuracy, choose trust.

Because one incorrect report can cost you much more than just money.