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The pharmaceutical industry is facing a significant challenge with the emergence of spurious and non-genuine drugs. This issue has come to light recently with the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) finding a batch of Shelcal 500, a popular calcium supplement, to be 'not of standard quality'. However, Torrent Pharmaceuticals, a leading Indian pharmaceutical company, has categorically denied manufacturing the substandard batch, claiming it is 'spurious'. This incident highlights the urgent need for robust quality control measures and effective enforcement mechanisms within the industry to protect public health and ensure the integrity of essential medicines.
Torrent's denial underscores the seriousness of the issue and the potential risks involved. The company has implemented QR codes on its products to verify authenticity, which was found lacking in the seized samples of Shelcal 500. This suggests that the substandard batch was not produced by Torrent, and the company has submitted a response and assessment report to CDSCO. The CDSCO's findings, however, raise concerns about the prevalence of counterfeit drugs in the market and the vulnerabilities in supply chains that allow such products to enter the system.
The implications of this incident extend beyond the specific case of Shelcal 500. It raises questions about the effectiveness of existing regulatory frameworks and the need for greater vigilance across the entire pharmaceutical value chain. The issue of counterfeit drugs has become a global concern, with significant financial and health consequences. The World Health Organization estimates that 10% of medicines circulating in low- and middle-income countries are counterfeit, leading to potential adverse health effects and undermining public trust in the healthcare system. Addressing this challenge requires a multifaceted approach involving collaboration between government agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and healthcare professionals.
Source: Non-genuine, spurious: Torrent Pharma's Shelcal 500 that failed CDSCO test not made by company