By admin 
In its monthly list, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) said 48 medicines manufactured by some companies, including paracetamol, PAN-D and glycemate, did not meet the quality standards.
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) publishes a list of sub-standard medicines every month.
The list, published in August, includes 48 drugs, including paracetamol and PAN-D, which are most commonly used by people.
The list includes 48 medicines, including paracetamol IP 500mg tablets manufactured by Karnataka Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals, Pan-D manufactured by AllChem Health Sciences, Monterrey LC kit manufactured by Pure and Cure and Glycemet manufactured by Scott-Edil Pharmacia. These are mentioned in the Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) category.
Several well-known pharma companies, including Sun Pharma and Torrent, have said that the medicines in the name of their companies on the list are manufactured by them, but they are all fake drugs in the market in the name of their companies.
What does a lack of standards mean?
Medicines can be declared as ‘non-standard quality’ for various reasons.
Less than the announced weight. Their standards are determined by taking into account the physical appearance and substances added to the tablets.
They have been identified as non-standard based on factors such as the appearance, the ingredients used in the preparation, and how the tablets get absorbed into the body after taking the tablets.
Manufacturers of medicines declared as ‘non-standard quality’ can be prosecuted under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 2008.
According to the Act, if found guilty, the punishment ranges from 10 years of imprisonment to life imprisonment.
In addition to these punishments, a minimum of Rs. A fine of Rs 10 lakh or three times the value of non-standard quality drugs can be imposed. Whichever is higher, the fine will be levied.
‘What to do if the tablets prescribed by the doctor are not safe’
The list currently revealed includes emoxicillin, potassium clavulanate tablets IP (clavam 625), emoxicillin and potassium clavulanate tablets (Mexclave 625). There are medicines related to pantaprazole-domperidone capsule IP (Pen-T), which is used for indigestion problems.
The samples of these drugs belonging to a particular batch in the market failed the standardized tests.
The news that medicines commonly used for the prevention of problems like fever and indigestion are not up to the standards have caused concern among the people.
“I have been using diabetes medicines for 10 years. What if they are not of good quality,” asked Sankaran, who lives in Kolathur in Chennai.
“What to do if the tablets prescribed by the doctor are not safe,” said Usharani, a resident of Arumbakkam in Chennai.
How to identify quality medicines?
Doctors have warned that using medicines that do not have quality standards can affect health.
What will be the impact of quality medicines? How to identify drugs that do not have standards? Dr. Chandrasekhar has provided some details on the issues.
- Medications that do not contain certain ingredients and are not at the level of the required level do not give results. There is a risk of damage to the organs if used for a long time.
- Patients who regularly take medicines for problems like diabetes and high blood pressure need to show their medicines to the doctor from time to time.
- It remains to be seen whether the packaging is done as per the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) but the World Health Organization’s Good Health Practices (WHO GHP) certification while purchasing medicines from the drugstore. These are symbols of quality.
- It is advisable not to buy medicines that are close to expiring.
- Some medicines lose their effectiveness if not stored properly.
- Before buying some injections as well as products like insulin, it is important to check if they are kept in the refrigerator.
Not anxiety, caution is needed
Officials of the Directorate of Drug Control say there is no need for people to worry.
Such tests are common. They claim that there is no threat to life just because they are of poor quality.
“Minor mistakes in the manufacture of medicines can lead to them being classified as substandard and such stringent regulations will help in improving the quality of medicines in India.
“A drug that is supposed to dissolve in the mouth in five seconds is considered substandard if it takes six seconds,” says S Ramesh, president of the Tamil Nadu Chemists and Druggists Association.
Dr Ashwin, who works as a general practitioner at a private hospital in Chennai, has been advised to be cautious about medicines.
“In some pharmacies, discounts of up to 80 per cent are offered. How can anyone sell an item worth Rs 100 for 20 rupees? In many places, medicines that have expired for three months are also being purchased in large quantities and sold at lower prices. Even if the packaging of medicines is not proper. Even if they are not stored properly, their capacity decreases as the expiry time approaches. Bacteria grow in things like saline bottles. Inslin should be kept at 6 degrees Celsius while transporting. But most people don’t follow it.I advise my patients not to buy insulin online. That’s the same as water,” says Dr Ashwin.
Jayaseelan, chairman of the Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Pondicherry Chapter of Indian Drug Manufacturers Association, said there was a need to differentiate between quality medicines and spurious medicines.
“Normally, 3 to 5 per cent of the samples tested are of non-standard quality, while only 0.01 per cent of the samples are fake. If it is found to be NSQ, the batch of medicines will be recalled immediately. It happens in countries like america as well. Such medicines do not cause serious health issues,” jayaseelan said.
The supply chain of products will have to be closely monitored, he said. “The medicines produced by the manufacturer may not be stored in pharmacies at a fixed temperature. When products are tested 12 months after production, they may fail the quality test.”
“India is known as the ‘Pharmacy of the World’. About 40 per cent of the medicines used in the US and 25 per cent of the medicines used in Europe are manufactured in India. Many developing countries depend on India for the medicines they need. Pharma ranks fourth among the sectors that bring the highest revenue to India,” Jayaseelan said.
People should buy medicines only in medical shops where there is a pharmacist. Qualified pharmacists should educate patients about the medicines.
Explain when to take the medicine, how much to take, how much to take, what is the dose, and whether there are side effects.