Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has identified 194 drug samples as “Not of Standard Quality” (NSQ) during its routine monthly surveillance for February 2026, while four additional samples have been flagged as spurious.

According to the regulator’s latest report, the NSQ findings were based on failures to meet specified quality parameters. Of the total samples flagged, 60 were detected by central laboratories, while 134 were identified by state drug testing laboratories across the country.

The list of substandard drugs includes commonly used medicines such as paracetamol, metformin, sitagliptin combinations for diabetes management, amoxicillin-based antibiotics, and cough syrups—highlighting concerns around widely consumed therapies.

In addition to substandard drugs, four samples were classified as spurious. These include formulations such as amoxicillin and potassium clavulanate tablets, ursodeoxycholic acid tablets, and certain dermatological creams. Investigations revealed that some of these products were manufactured by unauthorized entities using brand names owned by other companies, and regulatory action is underway.

The CDSCO emphasized that NSQ classification is specific to particular batches tested and does not necessarily indicate a broader issue with all products in the market. The regulator reiterated that such surveillance activities are conducted regularly in coordination with state authorities to identify and remove substandard or spurious medicines from circulation.

The latest findings follow similar trends in previous months, where a significant number of drug samples were also reported as substandard, underscoring the need for continued vigilance and stronger quality compliance across the pharmaceutical supply chain.