CDSCO Alert: 330 Substandard Drug Samples and Spurious Medicine Flagged
CDSCO identifies 330 Not of Standard Quality drug samples and one spurious medicine in its September surveillance report.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has sounded an alarm after its routine regulatory surveillance for September 2026 revealed that 330 drug samples were Not of Standard Quality (NSQ). In addition to these substandard samples, the regulator also uncovered one spurious medicine circulating in the market.
The Breakdown of Quality Failures
The monthly report highlights a significant gap in quality across various tested samples. The identification of these drugs as NSQ stems from their failure to meet one or more specified quality parameters required for medical safety and efficacy.
The distribution of these failures is as follows:
- State Drugs Testing Laboratories: Identified 288 drug samples as NSQ.
- Central Drugs Laboratories: Identified 42 drug samples as NSQ.
To prevent widespread panic, the CDSCO has clarified that these failures are specific to the particular batches tested by the government laboratories. The authority emphasized that this does not necessarily mean other drug products of the same type available in the market are compromised.
Spurious Drug Detected in Delhi
Beyond the substandard samples, the surveillance discovered a more serious violation in the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi. One drug sample was officially classified as spurious.
Investigations revealed that this medicine was produced by unauthorised manufacturers who illegally used a brand name owned by another legitimate company. The CDSCO has confirmed that the matter is currently under investigation, and strict action will be taken against the offenders in accordance with the applicable Act and Rules.
A Pattern of Vigilance
This crackdown is part of a continuous effort by the CDSCO to purge the Indian market of unsafe medications. This September report follows a similar trend from the previous month. In August 2026, the regulator had identified 220 drug samples as NSQ, with 191 flagged by state laboratories and 29 by central laboratories.
Interestingly, the August surveillance also uncovered a spurious drug in Delhi, similarly manufactured by unauthorised entities using a registered brand name, which is also being dealt with under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules.
Ensuring Public Safety
The CDSCO operates in close collaboration with state regulators to ensure that substandard and fake medicines are swiftly identified and removed from pharmacy shelves. As part of its transparency commitment, the regulatory authority publishes the full list of NSQ and spurious drugs on its official portal every month, allowing healthcare providers and the public to stay informed.