A recent health alert has put a spotlight on the quality of medicines available in India. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), the country’s drug regulatory body, has identified as many as 50 commonly used medicines as being of substandard quality. This alarming discovery was made in August 2024, raising concerns about the safety and efficacy of these medications.
The CDSCO’s alert, declaring these medicines “not of standard quality” (NSQ), encompasses a wide range of pharmaceuticals. The list includes 48 drugs with unique batch numbers and manufacturing dates. Among the well-known medicines flagged are antiacid Pan-D, Paracetamol, blood pressure (BP) medications, anti-diabetes drugs, vitamins, and calcium supplements. These products were manufactured by several companies, including Unicure India Ltd, Hetero Drugs, Health Biotech Ltd, Alkem Laboratories, Hindustan Antibiotics Limited (HAL), Life Max Cancer Laboratories, Pure & Cure Healthcare, and Meg Lifesciences.
In addition to the 48 drugs classified as NSQ, the CDSCO also released a separate list of five drugs declared as “Spurious/Adulterated/Misbranded” in August 2024. The CDSCO’s report states that the actual manufacturer of these spurious drugs, as per the label claim, has denied manufacturing the implicated batch, further adding to the complexity of the situation.
The CDSCO’s alert has sparked widespread concern and raised questions about the quality control measures in place within the pharmaceutical industry. It is crucial for consumers to be aware of these findings and take necessary precautions when purchasing and consuming medications. The CDSCO’s website provides detailed information on the specific drugs flagged, including their batch numbers and manufacturing dates, to enable consumers to verify the authenticity of their medications.
Here is a partial list of the 48 drugs declared “not of standard quality” in the CDSCO’s August 2024 report:
1. Amoxicillin And Potassium Clavulanate Tablets IP (Clavam 625)
2. Amoxycillin & Potassium Clavulanate Tablets (Mexclav 625)
3. Calcium And Vitamin D3 Tablets IP Shelcal 500 (Shelcal)
4. Metformin Hydrochloride Sustained-release Tablets IP (Glycimet-SR-500)
5. Vitamin B Complex with Vitamin C Softgels
6. Rifmin 550 (Rifaximin Tablets 550 mg)
7. Pantoprazole Gastro-Resistant and Domperidone Prolonged-Release Capsules IP (Pan-D)
8. Paracetamol Tablets IP 500 mg
9. Montair LC Kid (Montelukast Sodium & Levocetirizne Hydrochloride Dispersible Tablets)
10. Compound Sodium Lactate Injection I.P. (Ringer Lactate Solution for Injection) (RL 500 ml)
11. Fexofenadine Hydrochloride Tablets IP 120 mg
12. Fexofenadine Hydrochloride Tablets IP 120 mg
13. Laxnorm Solution (Lactulose Solution USP)
14. Heparin Sodium Injection 5000 Units (Hostranil Injection)
15. Buflam Forte Suspension (Ibuprofen & Paracetamol Oral Suspension)
16. Cepodem XP 5 Dry Suspension (Cefpodoxime Proxetil and Potassium Clavulanate Oral Suspension)
17. Nimesulide, Paracetamol and Chlorzoxazone Tablets (NICIP MR)
18. Rolled Gauze (Non-Sterilized)
19. Ciprofloxacin Tablets I.P. 500 mg (Ocif-500)
20. Nimesulide, Phenylephrine Hydrochloride & Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride Tablets (Nunim-Cold)
21. Adrenaline Injection I.P. Sterile 1 ml
22. Compound Sodium Lactate Injection I.P. (Ringer Lactate Solution for Injection) RL 500ml
23. Vingel XL Pro Gel (Diclofenac Diethylamine, Linseed Oil, Methyl Salicylate and Menthol Gel)
24. Atropine Sulphate Injection IP 2 ml
25. Cefoperazone & Sulbactam For Injection (Todaycef 1.5 G)
26. Heparin Sodium Injection IP 25000 IU / 5ml
27. Cefepime & Tazobactam for Injection (Crupime – TZ Kid Injection)
28. Atropine Sulphate Injection I.P. (Atropine Sulphate)
29. Atropine Sulphate Injection I.P. (Atropine Sulphate)
30. Atropine Sulphate Injection I.P. (Atropine Sulphate)
31. Atropine Sulphate Injection I.P. (Atropine Sulphate)
32. Salbutamol, Bromhexine HCI, Guaifenesin and Mentho Syrup(Acozil Expectorant)
33. Diclofenac Sodium IP
34. Escitalopram and Clonazepam Tablets IP (Klozaps-ES Tablets)
35. Phenytoin Sodium Injection USP
36. Paracetamol, Phenylephrine Hydrochloride and Cetirizine Hydrochloride Suspension (Cethel Cold DS Suspension)
37. Calcium 500 mg with Vitamin D3 250 IU Tablets IP
38. Amoxycillin and Potassium Clavulanate Tablets IP 625 mg (Renamega- CV 625)
39. Olmesartan Medoxomil Tablets IP 40 mg
40. INFUSION SET-NV
41. Telmisartan Tablets IP 40 mg
42. Telmisartan Tablets IP 40 mg
43. Telmisartan Tablets IP 40 mg
44. Telmisartan Tablets IP 40 mg
45. Alprazolam Tablets IP 0.25 mg (Erazol-0.25 Tablets)
46. GLIMEPIRIDE TABLETS IP (2 mg)
47. Calcium and Vitamin D3 Tablets I.P.
48. Metronidazole Tablets IP 400mg
