Critical to make a clear distinction between NSQ and Spurious Drugs: IPA
The association claims that the media has interchanged the terms “Not of Standard Quality” and “Spurious” in reports about a CDSCO declaring 50+ drugs as NSQs. This has had a reputational and financial impact on pharma companies. However, the list classifies certain drugs as spurious
The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) has called out select media outlets for gross misrepresentation and deliberate distortion of facts by providing misleading coverage and irresponsibly interchanging the terms “Not of Standard Quality” and “Spurious.”
Alerts issued by the CDSCO on September 20, 2024, declared 50+ drugs as NSQs following a quality test. Among the listed drugs flagged were common calcium and vitamin D3 supplements, antacids, anti-diabetes pills and high blood pressure medicines such as Shelcal, Pan-D, Glimepiride, and Telmisartan. This has caused a lot of furore.
Speaking on the issue, Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General, IPA said “IPA will continue to work with the Government to strengthen the overall system and establish stringent measures against spurious drugs. This issue is of paramount importance, both for India’s global standing and for the protection of public health.”
However, he also said, “Manufacturing spurious drugs is a serious criminal offence that threatens public health. The outrageous linking of spurious products with legitimate manufacturers has severe reputational and financial impact. Moreover, this tarnishes India’s reputation as a reliable supplier of medicines on a global stage.” He urges that a clear distinction between NSQ and Spurious Drugs must be made.
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