159 Indian drug samples fail quality tests in May 2026

In May 2026, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) reported that 159 drug samples across India failed quality tests. The Food and Drug Administration Laboratory (FDAL) in Mumbai identified several medicines and healthcare products as not of standard quality (NSQ). The failed products included a sunscreen lotion, facewash, anti-allergy syrup, Vitamin K injection, and an antibiotic combination tablet. UV ETO SPF 50+ Sunscreen Lotion did not pass the microbial examination test. Skeenglow Facewash also failed to meet microbial examination requirements under Indian Standards.

Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride Syrup was found non-compliant with microbial contamination specifications set by its manufacturer. Ofloxacin and Ornidazole Tablets failed tests relating to related substances. Phytomenadione Injection BP did not meet the prescribed pH test under Indian Pharmacopoeia standards.

A drug sample from Assam was identified as spurious, produced by an unauthorised entity using another company’s brand name. Across the country, 46 of the failed samples were identified by Central Drugs Laboratories, while 113 were reported by State Drugs Testing Laboratories. The CDSCO’s findings highlight widespread quality control issues in May 2026. A total of 159 samples were declared substandard or spurious. Regulatory bodies continue to investigate and address these failures.