Some Indian pharmaceutical industry products are not to be of standard quality as per recent tests. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has found 61 drugs that fail to qualify for tests.

Cosmetic products like glycerine, vitamin e, jojoba oil, and ayurvedic products like aloe vera, haridrakhandam were found to be of low standards.

Quality of medicines and cosmetics is controlled by the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, of 1940. Some life-saving drugs that did not qualify for standardization tests are Esomeprazole Gastro-resistant tablets used in gastrointestinal tract disorders, Glipizide and metformin tablets that are used for diabetes mellitus, Amoxycillin and potassium clavulanate that are antimicrobials, Etamsylat 500mg tablets used in bleeding disorders and Albendazole that are used in treating worm infections.

State Licensing Authority was addressed by the Drugs Controller General of India Rajeev Raghuvanshi to routinely analyze samples of medicines to maintain the quality of medicine.

According to CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation), other drugs that were substandard are Amloheart-AT used for cardiovascular diseases, Montor LC tablets which are used in respiratory tract disorders, and Alpracan 0.5 tablets used for neurological disorders.

Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda asked officials to ensure the safety and quality of medicines, during a 100-day session.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Rutika Mehetre/MSM)