New Delhi — India’s drug regulator has identified 167 drug samples as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) and seven medicines as spurious, according to a monthly alert issued by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The findings were released following nationwide testing conducted in December.
The alert forms part of routine regulatory surveillance carried out across multiple states and union territories. According to CDSCO, the identified medicines either failed to meet prescribed quality standards or were falsely represented, raising concerns related to counterfeit medicines, fake medicines, and patient safety within the pharmaceutical industry.
Substandard and Spurious Drugs Identified
CDSCO stated that substandard medicines did not comply with required specifications, while spurious drugs were found to be misbranded or manufactured without proper authorization. Regulators warned that the use of such medicines may result in ineffective treatment and potential health risks.
The alert lists the affected medicines and their manufacturers and serves as a regulatory notice for healthcare providers, pharmacists, and consumers. Authorities advised the public to remain cautious and report suspected counterfeit medicines to relevant officials.
Regulatory Surveillance and Public Safety
The CDSCO conducts monthly quality checks to monitor medicines available in the market and to identify fake medicines or products that do not meet established standards. Officials said these inspections are essential for protecting public health and maintaining confidence in medicines sold within the pharmaceutical supply chain.
How Synchrypt Can Help Strengthen Drug Safety
While the CDSCO alert documents regulatory findings, preventing counterfeit medicines requires stronger verification across the pharmaceutical supply chain.
Platforms such as Synchrypt are designed to support the pharmaceutical industry by enabling drug traceability / medicine traceability, medicine serialization, and drug authentication across distribution stages. Using blockchain technology, blockchain supply chain frameworks, and smart contracts, Synchrypt helps create tamper-resistant records that improve upply chain visibility and supply chain transparency.
By integrating with existing inventory management systems and supply chain software, such solutions can help manufacturers, distributors, and regulators verify medicines more effectively and reduce the circulation of counterfeit medicines.