Drug Safety Concerns Raised as 53 Medicines Fail Quality Tests
Central Drug Regulator Flags Paracetamol, Pan D, and Others
New Delhi: The Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued a red flag for over 50 drugs, including commonly used medications like paracetamol, Pan D, and calcium supplements, due to their failure to meet quality standards. The monthly quality check report for August 2024 revealed that these drugs were deemed “Not of Standard Quality (NSQ Alert).”
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A Wide Range of Medications Affected
The NSQ alerts cover a variety of drug categories, including vitamin supplements, anti-diabetes medications, and high blood pressure drugs. Some of the specific medications flagged include:
- Paracetamol tablets (IP 500 mg)
- Pan-D (anti-acid)
- Glimepiride (anti-diabetic drug)
- Telmisartan (high blood pressure medication)
- Vitamin C and D3 tablets
- Shelcal (calcium and vitamin D3 supplement)
- Clavam 625 (antibiotic)
- Cepodem XP 50 Dry Suspension (infection medication for children)
Reputable Manufacturers Involved
Several well-known pharmaceutical companies, such as Hetero Drugs, Alkem Laboratories, Hindustan Antibiotics Limited (HAL), and Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals Ltd, are among those whose products have failed the quality tests.
Public Safety Concerns
The discovery of substandard drugs in the market raises significant concerns about public safety. Patients who have consumed these medications may be at risk of adverse health effects or ineffective treatment.
CDSCO’s Action
The CDSCO has issued two lists detailing the drugs that failed the quality tests and the responses from their respective manufacturers. In some cases, manufacturers have claimed that the flagged batches were spurious or not manufactured by them.
Ongoing Investigations
The CDSCO is likely to conduct further investigations into the matter to determine the root causes of the quality failures and take appropriate action against the responsible parties.
Importance of Quality Control
This incident highlights the critical importance of stringent quality control measures in the pharmaceutical industry. It is essential to ensure that medications meet the required standards to safeguard public health.
Note: It is advisable for patients to consult with their healthcare providers if they have concerns about any medications they are currently taking, especially if they are among the drugs listed in the CDSCO’s report.
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