In its August 2024 report, the Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) declared more than 50 pharmaceutical products, including paracetamol, Pan D, and calcium supplements, as “Not of Standard Quality” (NSQ). The findings have sparked widespread concern regarding the safety of several commonly used medicines. The report identified a range of products, from essential vitamin supplements to high blood pressure and anti-diabetes medications, that did not meet the required quality standards.

The NSQ alerts are based on random sampling conducted monthly by state drug officers. Among the medicines flagged were vitamin C and D3 tablets, Shelcal, vitamin B complex, vitamin C softgels, anti-acid Pan-D, paracetamol (IP 500 mg), Glimepiride (an anti-diabetes drug), and Telmisartan (a high blood pressure medication). These drugs are regularly used by patients across the country, making their failure in quality checks particularly alarming.

Several pharmaceutical manufacturers are implicated in the report. Companies such as Hetero Drugs, Alkem Laboratories, Hindustan Antibiotics Limited (HAL), Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Pure & Cure Healthcare, and Meg Lifesciences have all had products listed as not meeting standard quality. The fallout has led to concerns about the efficacy and safety of these drugs, especially for patients relying on them for chronic conditions.

The antibiotic metronidazole, produced by HAL and widely used for treating stomach infections, also failed to pass the quality test. Shelcal, a popular calcium and vitamin D3 supplement used by many for managing calcium deficiency, has similarly been flagged for failing to meet quality standards. A Kolkata-based drug testing lab deemed antibiotics like Clavam 625 and Pan D as spurious. Another drug, Cepodem XP 50 Dry Suspension, a medication commonly prescribed for children to treat infections, was also flagged as failing the quality test.

The CDSCO released two lists: one featuring 48 drugs that failed the quality tests and another with five drugs flagged under the NSQ Alert category. Responses from manufacturers have been mixed. In one instance, the manufacturer of Pulmosil, one of the drugs listed, stated that the impugned batch had not been produced by them and may be spurious. This allegation is currently under investigation.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Ankur Deka/MSM)