India’s drug regulator, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has identified select batches of 135-odd drugs and formulations as ‘not of standard quality’ (NSQ) for December.

Of the 135 drugs found to be not of standard quality, there were 51-odd that were identified by Central drug laboratories, the remaining 84 were flagged by State drug testing labs.

Typically, NSQ drugs are those that fail to meet the quality standards or specifications.

Some of the samples identified include the thyroid medication Thyrox 25 by Macleods Pharma, Okamet tablets used to treat Type 2 diabetes by Cipla, antibacterial medication Ciprodac 500 tablets by Cadila, among others.

A Union Health Ministry note said identification of drug samples as NSQ is done based on failure of the drug sample in one or the other specified quality parameters.

“The failure is specific to the drug products of the batch tested by the government laboratory. It does not warrant any concerns on the other drug products available in the market,” a Ministry official said.

Published on January 24, 2025