As the CDSCO reported 135 drugs that are not of standard quality for December 2024, among the popular drugs on this list were Thyrox 25, an antithyroid drug prescribed to treat issues in the thyroid and Okamet tablets, prescribed for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. From central and state laboratories, the CDSCO picked these drugs through testing that had been carried out. Of the 135 medicines flagged, 51 had been flagged by the central lab while 84 were from state drug testing labs.

Understanding Not of Standard Quality (NSQ)

NSQ drugs are those drugs that do not comply with the health authorities' standards. The Ministry of Health said that it had been a reassurance to the public that only the tested products and not the products from those companies were not safe. On the NSQ list, fixed-dose combination medicines including cough syrups and heart medications also fall in this list, indicating the variety of the products that are affected.

Manufacturing locations and trends

Most of the NSQ drugs were manufactured in cities like Ahmedabad, Vadodara, and Haridwar. This month's report is special as it is for the first time since July that no drug has been reported spurious. The CDSCO conducts routine monitoring of drug quality by taking samples from sales points and testing them to meet the safety criteria of consumers.

Effect of elevated reporting

More states are now reporting NSQ drugs to the central database as noted by the health ministry, and this would ensure better quality medicines in the country. To make sure there is safe usage of drugs all over the country, the CDSCO intends to update everybody on issues regarding drug quality.

The CDSCO continues to collect samples from sale and distribution points, examine them, and exhibit a list of spurious drugs on its portal every month. The ministry's note stated that increased participation of states in reporting NSQs to the central database will help improve quality medicines availability in the country.