New Delhi: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on Thursday flagged 112 drug samples tested by central and state drug regulatory authorities as “Not of Standard Quality (NSQ)” in its monthly drug alert for September.

Of these, 52 samples were identified as NSQ by the Central Drugs Laboratories, while the State Drugs Testing Laboratories found 60 samples to be substandard.

The CDSCO publishes a monthly list of NSQ and spurious drugs on its portal as part of routine regulatory surveillance.

“For the month of September 2025, Central Drugs Laboratories have identified 52 drug samples to be Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) and State Drugs Testing Laboratories have identified 60 drug samples as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ),” the alert stated.

Officials clarified that NSQ classification is based on failure to meet one or more specified quality parameters in the tested batch. The failure is batch-specific and does not imply that other products of the same drug in the market are affected.

In addition, one drug sample from Chhattisgarh was identified as spurious, reportedly manufactured by an unauthorised producer using a brand name owned by another company. Authorities said the matter is under investigation and action will be taken under the relevant Act and rules.

The CDSCO emphasised that identification of NSQ and spurious medicines is a regular measure, carried out in collaboration with state regulators, to ensure unsafe drugs are detected and removed from the market.

For comparison, 94 drug samples were declared NSQ in August, with Central Drugs Laboratories identifying 32 and State Drugs Testing Laboratories identifying 62 samples.

IANS