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A recent report by India's Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) has revealed a concerning trend in the quality of medicines available in the country. The report, published in the form of a monthly drug alert list, revealed that over 50 drugs, including common medications like Paracetamol, Telmisartan, and various vitamins and supplements, failed quality tests conducted by the drug regulator. This alarming discovery raises serious concerns about the safety and efficacy of medications consumed by millions of people in India.
The drugs that failed the quality checks represent a diverse range of therapeutic categories, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue. Among the affected medications are anti-diabetes pills, high blood pressure medicines, anti-acid drugs, and even widely used antibiotics like Metronidazole. Notably, several of these drugs are manufactured by prominent pharmaceutical companies, including Hetero Drugs, Alkem Laboratories, and Hindustan Antibiotics Limited (HAL). This suggests that the issue of drug quality control extends beyond smaller, less established manufacturers.
The CDSCO's report further highlights the potential for spurious drugs to enter the market. In response to the failed quality tests, several pharmaceutical companies have denied responsibility, claiming that the drugs in question are “spurious” and not manufactured by them. This raises further questions about the effectiveness of existing regulatory mechanisms and the potential for counterfeit medications to slip through the cracks. The CDSCO's investigation into the matter is ongoing, but the initial findings are cause for serious concern.
Source: Paracetamol among 53 drugs to fail quality test, raises safety concerns