CDSCO flags 330 substandard drug samples, one spurious drug in September alert

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has identified 330 drug samples as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ). | Photo Credit: K_K_Mustafah

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has identified 330 drug samples as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) and one spurious drug sample during its routine regulatory surveillance for September 2026.

In its monthly report, the Central Drugs Laboratories identified 42 drug samples as NSQ, while State Drugs Testing Laboratories identified 288 such samples.

How grave is the issue?

CDSCO clarified that the failure is specific to the drug products belonging to the batch tested by the government laboratory and does not warrant concerns about other drug products available in the market. Further, one drug sample from the National Capital Territory of Delhi (NCT) was identified as spurious.

According to the report, the drug was manufactured by unauthorised manufacturers using a brand name owned by another company. The matter is under investigation, and action will be taken as per the applicable Act and Rules.

When are drugs categorised as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ)?

The identification of drug samples as NSQ is based on their failure to meet one or more specified quality parameters like strict quality, strength, purity, or identity specifications.

The CDSCO and the state drug regulators declare drugs as NSQ based on laboratory testing done under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

CDSCO stated that the identification of NSQ and spurious medicines is carried out regularly in collaboration with state regulators to ensure that such drugs are identified and removed from the market.

How often are the laboratory tests undertaken by the CDSCO?

Earlier in September, the CDSCO identified 220 drug samples as NSQ during routine regulatory surveillance in August 2026, including 29 samples identified by Central Drugs Laboratories and 191 by State Drugs Testing Laboratories. According to the monthly NSQ and Spurious Drug Alert issued by CDSCO, one drug sample from the NCT of Delhi was also identified as a spurious drug.

The spurious drug was allegedly manufactured by unauthorised manufacturers using a brand name owned by another company.

The matter is currently under investigation, and action will be taken as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules, according to the regulatory authority. CDSCO said the list of NSQ and spurious drugs is displayed on its portal every month as part of routine regulatory surveillance activity.

Published on October 23, 2026