NEW DELHI (Economy India): In a major quality control alert, 53 widely sold drugs, including popular diabetes and blood pressure medicines, have failed quality tests conducted by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). The failed list also includes medications from renowned pharmaceutical companies, raising serious concerns about drug safety.
High-Profile Drugs Fail Quality Tests
The CDSCO report revealed that several well-known drugs, including anti-diabetic and hypertension medicines, did not meet quality standards. Among the failed drugs are Sun Pharma’s Pantocid tablets, used for treating acid reflux, as well as calcium and Vitamin D supplements like Shelcal, and Palmosil injections. Notably, Alkem Health’s widely used antibiotic, Clavam 625, also failed the test.
Concerns over Quality Standards
The list of failed drugs includes medications from reputable companies such as Hetero Drugs, Alkem Laboratories, Hindustan Antibiotics, and Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals. According to the CDSCO, these medicines did not meet the required specifications during quality tests conducted recently.
“It is alarming to see trusted brands in the list. This raises a question on the quality control measures adopted by companies,” said an industry expert. The presence of high-demand drugs, such as those used for diabetes and blood pressure, in the failed list could have significant health implications.
Pharmaceutical Companies Respond
Some pharmaceutical companies have contested the findings. Out of the 53 failed drugs, five companies claimed that the drugs tested were counterfeit products being sold under their brand names in the market. They asserted that the medicines tested did not originate from their manufacturing units.
Government Action on Substandard Drugs
This development comes shortly after the central government imposed a ban on 156 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs in August, citing concerns over their safety and efficacy. The banned list included painkillers, cold medicines, and multi-vitamins.
The government has also restricted the production and distribution of these banned FDCs. Experts believe the recent quality failures could prompt stricter regulatory measures and increased monitoring of pharmaceutical companies.
Implications for the Healthcare Sector
The presence of substandard drugs in the market poses a serious risk to public health, especially when they include medicines for critical conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Authorities have urged consumers to be cautious and report any adverse effects to the drug regulatory bodies.
(Economy India)
