CDSCO flags 330 substandard drugs, plus a fake medicine in September 2026

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) disclosed that, during its routine surveillance in September 2026, a total of 330 drug samples were classified as "Not of Standard Quality" (NSQ). In addition, a single sample was identified as spurious – a counterfeit medication produced by an unauthorised manufacturer using another company’s brand name.

According to the monthly report, the Central Drugs Laboratory flagged 42 NSQ samples, while the State Drugs Testing Laboratories contributed 288. Each of these samples fell short on one or more critical quality parameters, prompting the agency to label them as substandard.

CDSCO emphasised that the failures pertain only to the specific batches tested in government labs; they do not necessarily indicate a broader problem with other batches of the same products available in the market.

The spurious drug was traced back to the National Capital Territory of Delhi. Investigators say the medication was manufactured without proper authorisation, yet bore the trademark of a legitimate company. The matter is now under scrutiny, and the authority has promised action in line with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and related rules.

For comparison, the agency’s August 2026 surveillance recorded 220 NSQ samples – 29 from the central lab and 191 from state labs – along with a similar finding of one counterfeit drug in Delhi. CDSCO routinely publishes these alerts on its portal to keep the public and stakeholders informed.

Ongoing investigations aim to trace the illegal manufacturing source, ensure removal of the offending batches, and prevent similar lapses in the future. The collaboration between central and state regulators continues to be a cornerstone of India’s effort to safeguard drug quality.