CDSCO Flags 53 Drugs In Quality Test, Including Painkillers And Diabetes Medication - India Bytes

New Delhi: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has raised serious health concerns after 53 commonly used drugs failed its quality tests, leading to immediate bans. The list includes critical medications for blood pressure, diabetes, and vitamins, with some drugs produced by major pharmaceutical companies in the country. CDSCO’s findings indicate that these drugs pose significant health risks and have been deemed unsafe for consumption.

Among the drugs flagged in the recent tests are pain relievers like Diclofenac, the antifungal medication Fluconazole, and various vitamin supplements. Some of these medicines are household names and used extensively by patients across India. Notably, Pantosid Tablet, a widely prescribed remedy for acid reflux manufactured by Sun Pharma, has failed to meet quality standards. Its use has increased in recent years, but CDSCO’s report casts doubts on its safety.

Additionally, popular calcium and vitamin D supplements such as Shelcal, as well as Pulmosil injections, used in treating high blood pressure, have also been blacklisted. Another drug to fail the test is Clavam 625, an antibiotic produced by Alkem Health Sciences.

However, the controversy does not end here. Several pharmaceutical companies have refuted CDSCO’s findings, claiming that counterfeit versions of their drugs are being sold in the market under their name. At least five medications listed in the CDSCO’s report are alleged to be fake, with the manufacturers asserting that they do not produce the faulty batches in question. The companies argue that unauthorised counterfeit drugs are likely to be responsible for the poor test results.

CDSCO’s concerns extend beyond these well-known drugs. According to a government directive, enzymes like glucoamylase, pectinase, and protease, along with a host of other ingredients commonly found in medications, pose potential risks to human health. The banned list includes several antiparasitic drugs used for hair treatment as well. In light of these findings, the government has urged patients to seek alternative medications and avoid using those that have been flagged.

This development comes just weeks after the government banned 156 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs, which were also deemed harmful to public health. FDCs combine multiple drugs into a single pill, and while popular for providing immediate relief, they have recently come under scrutiny following the recommendations of the Drugs Advisory Board.

The CDSCO’s crackdown on substandard drugs aims to ensure public safety but has raised questions about the pervasiveness of counterfeit medicines in the Indian pharmaceutical market. Patients and healthcare professionals have been advised to stay informed and cautious, as the full impact of these findings unfolds.