India’s drug regulator has identified 167 medicine samples that failed quality tests and classified seven additional samples as spurious during routine surveillance conducted in December. The findings were released as part of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation’s (CDSCO) monthly drug alert.

Of the 167 samples found to be Not of Standard Quality (NSQ), 74 were flagged by central drug testing laboratories, while 93 were identified by state drug testing laboratories. The affected samples include commonly used medicines such as treatments for blood pressure, pain relief, gastric disorders, allergies, and multivitamin supplements. NSQ classification indicates that the samples failed to meet one or more prescribed quality parameters.

In addition, seven drug samples were identified as spurious after investigations revealed that they were manufactured by unauthorised entities using brand names owned by other companies. Most of these spurious samples were detected in the northern region, with others identified in states including Gujarat, Bihar, and Maharashtra.

The health ministry clarified that the quality issues pertain only to the specific batches tested and do not necessarily reflect the overall quality or safety of the brands available in the market. Regulatory authorities have initiated investigations and enforcement actions under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act to prevent the circulation of substandard and spurious medicines.