Indore, October 24 (Udaipur Kiran) – Two medicines manufactured in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, have been found substandard in a nationwide quality check conducted by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO). The failed medicines include Ferrous Sulphate and Folic Acid tablets and Zinc Sulphate Dispersible tablets.
The findings come amid rising concerns over drug quality standards in India following multiple incidents of spurious or substandard medicines causing fatalities, including the recent deaths of 24 children in Madhya Pradesh allegedly due to toxic cough syrup consumption.
In September, the CDSCO collected 112 drug samples from across India. The testing report, released on Friday, revealed that several medicines — including those used for heart disease, breast cancer, gastric issues, pain relief, and calcium deficiency — failed to meet Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP) and pH quality standards.
Why the Drugs Failed Quality Tests
According to the report, the failed samples were not manufactured in compliance with IP standards, primarily due to poor-quality raw materials, negligence in manufacturing processes, and improper storage conditions.
Details of Failed Drugs
1. Zinc Sulphate Dispersible Tablets (20 mg)
Manufactured by MCW Healthcare Ltd, located at Sector E, Sanwer Road Industrial Area, Indore, this zinc supplement failed quality testing. The CDSCO collected its sample from Baddi, Himachal Pradesh. The drug is commonly used to treat zinc deficiency, but misuse may lead to abdominal pain, vomiting, headache, and fatigue.
2. Ferrous Sulphate and Folic Acid Tablets
Manufactured by Zenith Drugs Ltd, located at Kalaria Industrial Area, Dhar Road, Indore, this medicine is widely prescribed for anemia, particularly in pregnant women, to prevent neural tube defects (NTDs) in newborns. The CDSCO took its sample from Meghalaya, and it failed to meet the prescribed pharmacopoeia standards.
Other Failed Medicines from Across India
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Glimepiride 1mg Tablets, manufactured by Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharma Ltd, Bengaluru, used to control Type 2 diabetes, failed testing after samples were taken from Indore.
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Clopidogrel 75mg + Aspirin 75mg, produced by G Laboratories, Patna Sahib, Bihar, failed quality tests. This combination is prescribed for preventing heart attacks and strokes.
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Clopidogrel-Aspirin (Plain and 75mg) tablets made by Theon Pharma, Himachal Pradesh, also failed two sample tests.
The report has raised serious questions about drug manufacturing compliance and quality assurance in the Indian pharmaceutical industry. The CDSCO has reportedly initiated further regulatory action against the firms whose products did not meet safety and quality benchmarks.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
