Paracetamol and Other Popular Drugs Fail to Meet Standards: An In-Depth Drug News Report
Impact of Drug Regulation on Quality Control
India’s drug regulator, the Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO), has identified more than 50 commonly used medicines as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) in its latest monthly report. The list includes essential medications like calcium and vitamin D3 supplements, anti-diabetic pills, and blood pressure treatments, raising alarms over drug safety.
Key Findings from the Drug Quality Report
- 53 drugs flagged due to quality concerns.
- Notable failures include Paracetamol 500 mg tablets and Shelcal (calcium and vitamin D3).
- Major pharmaceutical companies involved: Hetero, Alkem, HAL, Karnataka Antibiotics.
- Metronidazole, a critical drug for stomach infections, also failed.
- Manufacturers are contesting the findings, describing many flagged drugs as spurious.
Concerns Over Popular Medications
Among the 53 drugs flagged are top-selling products like vitamin B complex and antiacid Pan-D. Other significant medications affected include Glimepiride for diabetes management and Telmisartan for hypertension. The situation highlights serious deficiencies in the drug testing processes pursued by pharmaceutical companies.
Manufacturers' Response to the Quality Failures
In response to the CDSCO report, several manufacturers denied responsibility for the substandard drugs, claiming that the flagged batches were falsely attributed to them. Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the validity of these claims, which underscores the urgency of addressing drug safety protocols.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.