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Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has published its monthly report for September 2025. The report is based on drugs that do not meet quality standards. For September 2025, Central Drugs Laboratories identified 52 drugs samples as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ), while State Drugs Testing Laboratories reported 60 more samples that are failing the quality tests.

If the drugs are labelled with NSQ, suggests that they failed one or more specified quality parameters during testing. However, it is important to check that this is batch-specific, signaling the issue affects only the tested batch and does not automatically apply to other batches of the same product in the market.

One of the drug samples tested from Chhattisgarh was found to be fake. The investigations revealed that it was manufactured by an unofficial producer using a brand name owned by another company. The matter is under investigation, and action will be taken according to relevant laws and regulations to prevent such incidents in the future.

CDSCO conducts these checks in partnership with state authorities to ensure that unauthorized drugs are quickly identified and quickly removed from the market. This monitoring practice is part of ongoing efforts to protect public health and maintain high standards in the pharmaceutical sector.

Consumers as well as healthcare professionals must remain vigilant and watchful regarding these practices. In case a spurious drug is suspected, it must be informed to local authorities or directly to CDSCO for immediate action. This awareness prevents the flow of unsafe medicines and protects patients.

CDSCO provides a guarantee that medicines accessible to the general public are effective, safe, and reliable. Monthly monitoring of NSQ and spurious drugs ensures confidence in the pharmaceutical system and guarantees patients receive only quality medicines. This step of NSQ and spurious medicines is done on a regular basis in coordination with state regulators to guarantee that such drugs are detected and taken out from the market.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions, you should know about

What does NSQ mean?

NSQ stands for Not of Standard Quality. It refers to medicines that fail one or more required quality tests conducted by government laboratories.

How many drug samples were found NSQ in September 2025?

In September 2025, Central Drugs Laboratories identified 52 drug samples as NSQ, while State Drugs Testing Laboratories found 60 more, making a total of 112 substandard medicines.

What is a spurious drug?

A spurious drug is a fake or counterfeit medicine that is falsely labeled or produced by unauthorized manufacturers, often using another company’s brand name.

Was any spurious drug found this month?

Yes. One drug sample from Chhattisgarh was identified as spurious. It was made by an unauthorized manufacturer using another company’s brand name.

Akanksha