As many as 167 drug samples were flagged as “not of standard quality” (NSQ) across the country in December 2025, the Union health ministry said. According to a monthly drug alert issued by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), central drug laboratories identified 74 samples manufactured by various firms as NSQ, while state drug testing laboratories found 93 samples that failed to meet prescribed quality standards. ADVERTISEMENTThe CDSCO publishes the list of NSQ and spurious drugs on its portal every month as part of routine regulatory surveillance. “For December 2025, central drugs laboratories have identified 74 drug samples to be not of standard quality and state drugs testing laboratories have identified 93 drug samples as NSQ,” the statement said. Separately, seven drug samples were identified as spurious during the month.

Source: The Telegraph January 22, 2026 05:13 UTC