![\"font\"](\"https:\/\/images.news18.com\/dlxczavtqcctuei\/news18\/static\/images\/english\/font.svg\")
![\"Over](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/1755513250_63_1627283897_news18_logo-1200x800.jpg\" "\\"Over"){kind=logo}
<\/p>\nLast Updated:August 18, 2025, 14:11 IST<\/p>\n
Counterfeit and ‘not of standard quality’ drugs are more than a regulatory headache — they erode patient trust, compromise treatment outcomes, and can even endanger lives<\/p>\n
Over the past year, several widely used medicines sold under popular brand names have figured in the ‘not of standard quality’ alerts issued by CDSCO, which is India’s apex drug regulator. (Image for representation: News18)<\/p>\n
Now, the regulatory body\u2019s own alerts include comments from manufacturers stating that the failed products did not originate from them. In fact, in 2023, the Centre made QR codes mandatory for 300 pharmaceutical brands allowing consumers to verify the authenticity of medicines. Despite the move, counterfeit drugs continue to circulate \u2013 partly due to limited public awareness and the absence of a robust system to sensitise consumers.<\/p>\n When News18 reached out, only a handful of companies shared details of the steps they are taking to trace and curb fake brands. Others chose not to respond despite reminders. This raises a sharp question: are drug makers truly committed to tackling counterfeits, or is silence simply a safer route \u2013 one that shields them from reputational damage and regulatory scrutiny while the problem festers in the market?<\/p>\n DRUGS FLAGGED IN QUALITY CHECKS<\/p>\n Over the past year, several widely used medicines sold under popular brand names have figured in the \u2018not of standard quality\u2019 (NSQ) alerts issued by Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), which is India\u2019s apex drug regulator.<\/p>\n Cipla\u2019s Tamsulosin Hydrochloride and Dutasteride tablets (Urimax D, May 2025) and Tofacitinib (Tofajak, November 2024) were flagged, as was Glenmark\u2019s Telma 40 (March and May 2025). Alkem\u2019s Ondem (January 2025), Pan D (October 2024) and Taxim, as well as Sun Pharma\u2019s Rosuvas (October 2024), Pantocid (August 2024) also appeared on the list.<\/p>\n Among multinationals, GSK\u2019s Augmentin 625 Duo and dermatology creams Betnovate-N and Betnovate-C were named in November 2024. Pharmaceutical companies typically inform regulators that the listed batches were not manufactured by them and, therefore, are in the category of spurious or counterfeit drugs.<\/p>\n BUT, WHAT\u2019S NEXT?<\/p>\n Several drug makers have outlined the steps they are taking to address the issue.<\/p>\n A GSK spokesperson told News18 that its most recognised product, \u201cAugmentin 625 Duo and dermatology products Betnovate-N and Betnovate-C”, have been targeted by the counterfeit market.<\/p>\n The company said \u201cdetection and prevention are two different topics which require different technical solutions”. It utilises overt and covert anti-counterfeit features on its packaging \u2013 both Augmentin 625 Duo and Betnovate-N and Betnovate-C incorporate these features.<\/p>\n \u201cIn line with legislation that requires capturing the details of the product, we overprint QR codes on these products for easier detection,” GSK said.<\/p>\n To stop the proliferation of counterfeit drugs, the spokesperson said: \u201cWe believe enforcement must be strengthened. In addition, there is low adoption of scanning at the retail and consumer level, weak integration of the tracking system across the supply chain, along with the presence of informal or unregulated distribution channels. Until compliance is universal and verification is routine at every stage \u2013 from manufacturing to the point of sale \u2013 counterfeiters will exploit such loopholes.”<\/p>\n GSK said it is actively working with different Indian law enforcement agencies, including CDSCO (DCGI), state FDAs (Food and Drug Administration), and the police. In fact, it said, it is constantly surveying and investigating valuable targets under a global anti-counterfeiting programme.<\/p>\n \u201cWe regularly send notifications to relevant FDA offices when we receive consumer complaints of counterfeit goods,” the company added.<\/p>\n Another drugmaker, Alkem, whose popular brands Pan D and Taxim-O have also been targeted, described counterfeit medicines as a persistent public health risk.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are consistently enhancing our security measures, adopting innovative packaging technologies to prevent counterfeiting. Today, Alkem\u2019s key brands, including Pan, Clavam, A to Z and Taxim-O, incorporate unique security features in addition to QR codes to verify product authenticity,” the company said.<\/p>\n Alkem said it regularly engages with industry bodies, healthcare professionals, and government authorities to address the problem of counterfeiting and drive awareness about the security measures taken by the company on its product packs.<\/p>\n \u201cWe believe counterfeit drugs is a national issue and all stakeholders involved should tackle it collaboratively to ensure that patients receive approved and genuine medicines developed by authentic manufacturers,” it said.<\/p>\n Similarly, Mankind Pharma\u2019s CEO Sheetal Arora called counterfeit drugs a \u201cdirect threat to patient safety” and public trust in branded medicines.<\/p>\n \u201cCounterfeit and spurious drugs are a grave concern, given the recent spate of incidents reported in the media, as they directly threaten patient safety and trust,” Arora said.<\/p>\n Mankind Pharma implements safeguards, including QR codes, holograms, security labels and tamper-proof packaging across our top-selling products.<\/p>\n \u201cThese measures enable consumers to instantly verify authenticity and access essential product details. We also change packaging periodically to make duplication more challenging,” Arora added.<\/p>\n Despite these safeguards, counterfeit products can still infiltrate the supply chain. \u201cThis is why we have adopted multiple preventive measures and continuously monitor our supply chain processes. Alongside enforcement, we work closely with chemists, distributors and consumers through public awareness initiatives to help them identify genuine medicines.”\u00a0<\/p>\n The company has designed a way to create awareness around fake medicines. \u201cIn August, we will roll out our public awareness campaign #AsliDawaKhushalZindagi and launch a podcast on our social media platform Docflix. This is our way of sensitising the public and combating counterfeit medicines through organic advocacy, stakeholder collaborations and sustained awareness campaigns,” the CEO said.<\/p>\n The company recognises that curbing this menace requires stronger policy-level support, including joint task forces, stricter implementation of good distribution practices and investments in secure, distinctive and hard-to-replicate packaging.<\/p>\n However, Cipla, Abbott and Sun Pharma \u2013 the top three pharmaceutical companies in the chronic segment drugs \u2013 did not respond to queries about the safeguards they have in place to protect patients from fake versions of their brands.<\/p>\n Glenmark, maker of one of the most popular high blood pressure drug Telma, told News18: \u201cWe won\u2019t be able to take it further.”<\/p>\n IN SHORT\u2026<\/p>\n Counterfeit and NSQ drugs are more than a regulatory headache \u2013 they erode patient trust, compromise treatment outcomes, and can even endanger lives.<\/p>\n While some companies have introduced technological fixes, the scale of the problem goes beyond packaging and security features. Weak enforcement, gaps in drug distribution, and limited awareness among consumers allow fakes to persist.<\/p>\n India needs a stronger, coordinated strategy where regulators, law enforcement, pharma companies and healthcare providers act in concert. Without this, the monthly NSQ alerts risk becoming a ritual \u2013 doing little to protect patients in reality.<\/p>\n Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India’s COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective.
Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India’s COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective.
view commentsNews<\/a> india<\/a> Are Indian Drug Makers Doing Enough? The Fight Against Fake Medicines Needs More MuscleDisclaimer: Comments reflect users\u2019 views, not News18\u2019s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use<\/a> and Privacy Policy<\/a>.<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Last Updated:August 18, 2025, 14:11 IST Counterfeit and ‘not of standard quality’ drugs are more than a regulatory…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":77204,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[64,63,6798,59234,59236,43721,137,490,59238,59239,59235,59237],"class_list":{"0":"post-77203","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-medication","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-cdsco","11":"tag-counterfeit-medicines","12":"tag-drug-safety","13":"tag-fake-drugs","14":"tag-health","15":"tag-medication","16":"tag-nsq-alerts","17":"tag-patient-trust","18":"tag-pharmaceutical-companies","19":"tag-qr-codes"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77203","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=77203"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77203\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/77204"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=77203"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=77203"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=77203"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Health](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/health-matters-1.jpg\")
<\/a> Are India\u2019s leading drug makers doing enough to fight counterfeit medicines? Month after month, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation releases its list of \u2018not of standard quality\u2019 drugs. And month after month, pharma giants whose brand names appear on it are quick to distance themselves \u2013 terming the flagged products as counterfeit or disowning them altogether.<\/p>\n![\"authorimg\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/himani-chandna-2023-11-51bbbc0991c85b620987e0977179e323.jpeg\")
Himani Chandna<\/a><\/p>\n
\nShe is particularly pass…Read More<\/p>\n
\nShe is particularly pass… Read More<\/p>\n