Did CDSCO Flag 112 Drug Samples as Not of Standard Quality in September?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 112 drug samples flagged as NSQ in September.
- 52 from Central and 60 from State Laboratories.
- Regular monitoring ensures drug safety.
- NSQ status does not affect all products in the market.
- Spurious drugs are actively investigated.
New Delhi, Oct 23 (NationPress) The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has announced that 112 drug samples tested by both Central and state drug regulatory bodies have been classified as ‘Not of Standard Quality (NSQ)' in its latest monthly drug alert for September.
Out of these, 52 drug samples were flagged by the Central Drugs Laboratories as NSQ, while 60 drug samples were identified as NSQ by the State Drugs Testing Laboratories.
In line with standard regulatory monitoring practices, the CDSCO regularly updates the list of NSQ and spurious drugs on its portal each month.
“For September 2025, the Central Drugs Laboratories pinpointed 52 drug samples as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ), and the State Drugs Testing Laboratories flagged 60 drug samples as NSQ,” the announcement detailed.
The classification of drug samples as NSQ is predicated on the failure of the samples to meet one or more specified quality standards.
This failure pertains specifically to the drug products from the tested batch in the government laboratory and does not imply any issues with other drugs available in the market, according to health officials.
Additionally, in September, “one drug sample from Chhattisgarh was confirmed as a spurious drug, produced by an unauthorized manufacturer using a brand name that belongs to another company. Investigations are ongoing, and actions will be taken in accordance with the law,” officials reported.
The identification of NSQ and spurious medicines is a regular practice carried out in collaboration with state regulators to ensure the removal of these drugs from the market.
The CDSCO had previously reported that 94 drug samples tested by Central and state regulatory authorities in August were categorized as NSQ.
In August, the Central Drugs Laboratories identified 32 drug samples as NSQ, while 62 drug samples were identified as NSQ by the State Drugs Testing Laboratories.