India’s Drug Regulator Finds 53 Medicines Failing Quality Tests
New Delhi [India], September 26: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has reported that 53 medicines have failed quality tests. This highlights the ongoing efforts of the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) to ensure pharmaceutical safety.
According to senior officials, the DCGI is actively taking action against companies producing drugs that do not meet the required standards of quality (NSQ). This proactive approach aims to protect public health and maintain trust in the healthcare system.
Senior officials stated, “Such a list is released every month and this shows that the DCGI is constantly monitoring the quality of medicines and taking action against manufacturing companies that are selling drugs that are of NSQ (not of standard quality).” They added that NSQ issues are mostly minor and not life-threatening.
The CDSCO’s report flagged over 50 drugs, including paracetamol, Pan D, calcium and vitamin D3 supplements, and anti-diabetes pills, as “Not of Standard Quality.” The batches of drugs that failed quality tests include products from companies like Karnataka Antibiotics, Alkem Laboratories, Hindustan Antibiotics Limited (HAL), Hetero Labs Limited, Nestor Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Priya Pharmaceuticals, and Scott-Edil Pharmacia Ltd.
The CDSCO’s drug alert for August included samples from batches of medications such as Shelcal, Vitamin B Complex with Vitamin C Softgels, vitamin C and D3 tablets, Ciprofloxacin Tablets, high blood pressure medication Telmisartan and Atropine Sulphate, and antibiotics like Amoxicillin and Potassium Clavulanate tablets.
Doubts Revealed
drug regulator -: A drug regulator is a government agency that makes sure medicines are safe and work well. In India, this job is done by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
CDSCO -: CDSCO stands for Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation. It is the Indian government agency that checks if medicines are safe and effective.
paracetamol -: Paracetamol is a common medicine used to reduce fever and relieve pain. You might know it as Crocin or Calpol.
calcium and vitamin D3 supplements -: Calcium and vitamin D3 supplements are pills or tablets that help keep your bones strong. They are often taken by people who need extra nutrients.
anti-diabetes pills -: Anti-diabetes pills are medicines that help people with diabetes control their blood sugar levels. Diabetes is a condition where the body can’t properly manage sugar.
Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) -: The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) is the head of the CDSCO. This person makes important decisions about medicine safety in India.
substandard drugs -: Substandard drugs are medicines that do not meet the required quality standards. They might not work properly or could be unsafe.
Karnataka Antibiotics -: Karnataka Antibiotics is a company in India that makes medicines. It is one of the companies mentioned in the report for making substandard drugs.
Alkem Laboratories -: Alkem Laboratories is another company in India that produces medicines. It was also found to have some medicines that did not pass quality tests.
Hindustan Antibiotics Limited -: Hindustan Antibiotics Limited is an Indian company that makes medicines. Some of its products failed the quality tests conducted by CDSCO.