Unreliable Medicines: 135 Drugs Found Below Standards, Including Diabetes, Migraine, and Hypertension Medications
In a significant revelation for public health, 135 medicines, including those for diabetes, migraine, high blood pressure, stomach gas, vitamin D3, and infection treatments, have been found to fall short of established quality standards. Among these, 38 drugs manufactured in Himachal Pradesh were also flagged for not meeting regulatory requirements. This comes as part of a rigorous inspection conducted by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in December, which has raised concerns about the safety and efficacy of these commonly used medications.
Substandard Drugs in the Market: A Major Concern
Out of the 135 drugs flagged, the CDSCO identified 51 samples as being below standard quality, while 84 others were found to be deficient when tested at state laboratories. With this, the total number of substandard drugs detected in just three months surged to an alarming 336 medicines. The alarming part of this issue is that many of these substandard medicines were intended for the treatment of critical ailments such as hypertension, diabetes, and migraine, highlighting the potential risk to patients relying on them for everyday care.
Key Drugs Affected by Poor Quality Standards
Several well-known drugs used in the treatment of common ailments were among those found substandard. Notable medications include:
- Cephodoxime Tablets IP 200 MG – Commonly provided in Jan Aushadhi Kendras for antibiotic treatment.
- Divalproex Extended-Release Tablets – Used for treating conditions like epilepsy and migraine.
- Metformin Hydrochloride Tablets – A widely used drug for managing type 2 diabetes.
- Zinc Sulfate Tablets – Vital for addressing zinc deficiencies, particularly in vulnerable populations.
- Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid (Amoxycillin CV-625) – A staple antibiotic combination used for a wide range of infections.
Other brands and products flagged include Betahistine from CMG Biotech, Omamat from Cipla, Pantoprazole from Edmad Pharma, and Telmisartan from Orison Pharma. These drugs are commonly prescribed across various healthcare facilities and pharmacies, raising concerns about their actual effectiveness and safety.
Patients’ Safety at Risk
The primary concern with substandard drugs is their potential to cause harm to patients. Drugs that do not meet quality standards may have inadequate active ingredients, incorrect dosages, or harmful contaminants, all of which could adversely affect the patient. For example:
- Substandard antihypertensive drugs might not effectively control blood pressure, increasing the risk of heart attacks or strokes.
- Defective anti-diabetic medications may not maintain proper blood sugar levels, leading to diabetic complications such as neuropathy, retinopathy, or kidney failure.
- Low-quality antibiotics may fail to treat infections properly, leading to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which is a growing global health threat.
