The trade in substandard and counterfeit medicines in India continues to raise concerns, with recent reports highlighting multiple drugs failing to meet quality standards and a few being identified as spurious.
According to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), July 2025 saw 143 medicine samples found below standard. Of these, 46 samples were identified as NSQ (Not of Standard Quality) by central drug laboratories, while state drug testing laboratories declared 97 samples NSQ.
NSQ failures limited to specific batches
A drug is declared NSQ when it fails to meet one or more prescribed quality parameters. Authorities clarify that this failure is limited to the specific batch tested and does not affect other batches available in the market.
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Additionally, seven drug samples from Bihar and one sample from CDSCO North Zone, Ghaziabad, were found to be spurious. Investigations revealed that these medicines were manufactured by unauthorised producers misusing the brand names of reputed companies.
Also Read:Crackdown on counterfeit and substandard medicines; 186 drugs fail quality tests, 2 found fake in Bihar
June 2025 CDSCO update: Key drugs flagged
In its routine surveillance for June 2025, the CDSCO also flagged select batches of four drugs as spurious and listed 185 other drugs and formulations as NSQ. The spurious drugs include the antibiotic Taxim-O 200, cholesterol-lowering tablets Rosuvas F10 and F20, and Thrombophob ointment, which is used to treat superficial vein inflammation or swelling caused by blood clots.
While the CDSCO alert named the affected brands, it did not disclose the manufacturers. “The actual manufacturer (according to label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug,” the alert said.
Also Read:NSQ Drugs Alert: CDSCO identifies 196 medicines that fail quality tests in April 2025
Monitoring ensures safe medicines
Of the 185 drugs found NSQ for June, 55 were identified at central drug laboratories in Kolkata, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Guwahati, and Chandigarh, while state drug laboratories identified the remaining 130. Drugs are flagged as NSQ based on failures in parameters such as dissolution, uniformity of weight, and assay of active ingredients.
Authorities emphasise that the failure is specific to the tested batch and does not affect other batches in the market. CDSCO and state drug controllers continue to monitor, identify, and remove substandard and counterfeit medicines to ensure patients have access to safe and quality medicines.
