More than 50 popular medicines have failed the quality tests conducted by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), raising concerns about the safety of commonly used medications. The drugs that didn’t meet the standards include treatments for high blood pressure, diabetes, infections, and even everyday pain relievers like paracetamol. Some of these medications are manufactured by well-known pharmaceutical companies, sparking further alarm about counterfeit drugs in the market.
Common Medications Fail Quality Standards
According to CDSCO’s report for August, several top-selling medications, including paracetamol tablets, hypertension drug Telma H (Telmisartan 40 mg), and calcium supplements like Shelcal C and D3, have failed to meet quality standards. These medications are often used to treat common conditions like fever, high blood pressure, bacterial infections, and vitamin deficiencies.
Some other drugs that failed the tests include:
- Glimepiride (an anti-diabetic medicine)
- Pan D (for acid reflux)
- Metronidazole (an antibiotic)
Several of these medicines are manufactured by reputable companies such as Alkem Laboratories, Hetero Drugs, and Hindustan Antibiotics Limited, among others.
Counterfeit Concerns
One of the most worrying aspects of the CDSCO report is the discovery of counterfeit medicines. Pharmaceutical companies like Sun Pharma and Glenmark have denied manufacturing the flagged batches of medicines, suggesting that these could be fake drugs sold under their brand names. Counterfeit drugs pose a serious risk to public health, as they may not only be ineffective but can also lead to dangerous side effects.
A government laboratory in Kolkata found that drugs like Alkem Health Science’s Clavam 625 and Pan D, used for treating infections and acid reflux, did not meet quality standards. Hyderabad-based Hetero’s Cepodem XP 50 dry suspension, a medication for children with severe bacterial infections, was also flagged as substandard.
List of Affected Companies and Drugs
Some of the companies whose drugs failed the quality tests include:
- Alkem Laboratories (Clavam 625, Pan D)
- Hetero Drugs (Cepodem XP 50)
- Hindustan Antibiotics Limited (HAL) (Metronidazole)
- Karnataka Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals Limited (Paracetamol tablets)
- Pure & Cure Healthcare (Shelcal D3)
The findings indicate that these drugs do not conform to the set quality standards, which raises concerns about the safety and efficacy of the medications being sold in India.
What the Companies Are Saying
Many pharmaceutical companies have responded to the CDSCO’s findings by stating that they did not manufacture the drugs that failed the tests. For example, Sun Pharma, Glenmark, and Alkem Laboratories have all claimed that the flagged medicines were counterfeit versions being sold under their names.
This has prompted further investigations to determine the origin of these fake drugs and ensure that only authentic medicines reach the market. The ongoing investigation aims to bring clarity on the issue and prevent the circulation of substandard or counterfeit drugs in the future.
How to Protect Yourself from Counterfeit Drugs
While buying medicines, you can take a few precautions to ensure that you are getting authentic, quality products:
- Purchase from licensed pharmacies and always ask for a bill.
- Check the packaging carefully. Low-quality printing or packaging could be a sign of counterfeit drugs.
- Verify the label for all the ingredients and compare them to what your doctor prescribed.
- Avoid buying medicines from unverified online sources without checking the legitimacy of the seller.
By taking these steps, you can reduce the risk of purchasing counterfeit or substandard medicines.
