Over 50 common medicines, including paracetamol and calcium supplements, found 'not of standard quality'

PTC Web Desk: In its recent monthly report for August 2024, the Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) has raised significant safety concerns by declaring over 50 drugs, including widely used medications such as paracetamol, Pan D, and calcium supplements, as ‘Not of Standard Quality’ (NSQ). 

Among the drugs flagged in the NSQ Alert category are essential medications such as vitamin D and calcium supplements, high blood pressure drugs, and specific anti-diabetes pills. The NSQ alerts arise from random monthly sampling conducted by state drug officers, reflecting the ongoing efforts to ensure drug safety.

Notable medications that failed quality checks include vitamin C and D3 tablets, Shelcal, vitamin B complex, vitamin C softgels, paracetamol tablets (IP 500 mg), the anti-diabetic drug Glimepiride, and the high blood pressure medication Telmisartan. These products are manufactured by several companies, including Hetero Drugs, Alkem Laboratories, Hindustan Antibiotics Limited (HAL), Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Pure & Cure Healthcare, and Meg Lifesciences.

Additionally, Metronidazole, a common treatment for stomach infections produced by HAL, has also been flagged for failing quality testing. The widely used Shelcal supplement has been highlighted in the NSQ Alert category as well. Furthermore, a Kolkata drug-testing lab classified antibiotics like Clavam 625 and Pan D as spurious, and the pediatric medication Cepodem XP 50 Dry Suspension has also been flagged by the CDSCO for failing quality tests.

The CDSCO has issued two lists—one containing 48 drugs that did not meet quality standards and another listing 5 drugs in the NSQ Alert category, along with responses from their respective manufacturers.