Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has reported that 240 drug samples tested across India in January 2026 were found to be Not of Standard Quality (NSQ). Of these, 68 samples were identified by Central Drugs Laboratories, while 172 were flagged by State Drugs Testing Laboratories.

According to the regulator, a drug sample is classified as NSQ if it fails to meet one or more specified quality parameters during laboratory testing. The authority clarified that such findings are batch-specific and do not imply concerns regarding other batches or similar products currently available in the market.

In addition to the NSQ findings, three drug samples were declared spurious during the month. These cases were reported from NCT Delhi, Uttarakhand and West Bengal. The regulator stated that the products were manufactured by unauthorized entities using brand names owned by other companies. Investigations are underway, and regulatory action will be taken in accordance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and associated rules.

CDSCO emphasized that the identification of NSQ and spurious medicines is part of its routine surveillance efforts conducted in coordination with state regulators to ensure that substandard and counterfeit products are promptly removed from the market.

For comparison, in December 2025, the regulator had declared 167 drug samples as NSQ, including 93 identified by state laboratories. During that month, seven samples were categorized as spurious, with investigations initiated in those cases as well.