42 Substandard Drugs Identified in Jammu and Kashmir Over Six Months

In a concerning finding, the Jammu and Kashmir Food and Drug Control Organisation (DFCO) has identified 42 drug samples as “Not of Standard Quality” (NSQ) over a six-month period from April to September 2025. This revelation raises significant alarms regarding drug safety and regulatory oversight in the region.

The drugs in question were collected from various sources, including pharmacies, hospitals, and suppliers across districts such as Kupwara, Jammu, Srinagar, Pulwama, and Shopian. The DFCO’s data, available on its official website, indicates that these substandard samples encompass a wide range of medicines produced by multiple manufacturers throughout India.

Most notably, the common failures identified included low potency, poor dissolution rates, and disintegration issues. Such shortcomings can significantly compromise the absorption and effectiveness of medications intended for treating infections, hypertension, acidity, and pain relief. The consequences of using these flawed drugs can lead to prolonged illnesses and undermine the overall effectiveness of treatment.

In addition to the NSQ findings, the DFCO reported that eight samples were misbranded or contained labeling errors. Overall, a total of 107 samples showed discrepancies in labeling or branding during the six-month review period. A closer examination of the monthly data reveals a troubling spike in September 2025, with 14 failed samples — the highest number recorded in this timeframe. Experts attribute this increase to enhanced sampling and surveillance efforts.

The backdrop of these findings is a national crisis in public confidence regarding drug safety, exacerbated by recent scandals involving toxic cough syrups that resulted in fatalities abroad, and mislabeled oral rehydration solutions that caused widespread panic among Indian consumers.

The list of manufacturers responsible for the substandard drugs primarily includes companies from Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Haryana, with one company based in Jammu also appearing multiple times. In response to these violations, the DFCO has initiated prosecutions, suspended licenses, and ordered product recalls in line with national protocols established by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

Experts in pharmacovigilance emphasize that the implications of substandard medicines extend beyond mere treatment failures. Dr. Nasir Ganie, a PhD scholar at the University of Kashmir, highlighted, “Such drugs erode public trust in healthcare and cause patients to spend on medicines that don’t work.” He further noted that poor storage conditions and the cross-state importation of drugs exacerbate the issue, especially in remote regions.

To address these challenges, the DFCO has urged all pharmacies to stay informed about the latest NSQ lists and to withdraw any listed batches from sale immediately. Consumers are advised to check expiry dates carefully and report any suspected substandard products to the relevant authorities.

The situation underscores the urgent need for enhanced regulatory measures and public awareness to ensure the safety and efficacy of medicines available in the market.