Drug News: 53 Popular Drugs, Including Paracetamol, Fail Quality Standards

High Standards for Drug Quality

Drug news reveals alarming findings from India's Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO), which has identified over 50 drugs as "Not of Standard Quality (NSQ)" in its latest report. Among these, paracetamol plays a significant role, raising concerns about the safety and efficacy of widely consumed medications.

Identified Quality Failures

• Calcium and Vitamin D3 Supplements: Essential for bone health, flagged products include Shelcal.
• Anti-Diabetic Medications: Critical for managing diabetes, products like Glimepiride are on the list.
• Blood Pressure Treatments: Telmisartan, essential for hypertension, also failed the quality test.
• Prominent Drug Brands: Major companies like Hetero Drugs and Alkem Laboratories are implicated.

This list has raised alarms not only among healthcare professionals but also among the general public who rely on these medications.

Manufacturer Responses

Several manufacturers have denied any responsibility for the substandard products, labeling them as spurious. They contend that the flagged batches were falsely assigned to their brands, leading to an ongoing investigation.

Importance of Regulatory Oversight

As drug quality issues come to light, the imperative for strict regulatory oversight in the pharmaceutical industry becomes evident. Ensuring the safety of medications is critical for public health, and this report from the CDSCO highlights the ongoing challenges.