After the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has released two lists including the one containing the names of 48 drugs that failed the quality tests and the other of five drugs that were found to be spurious or adulterated in August 2024, it was expected that government will come out with standing instructions for the medical practitioners not to prescribe these medicines till the time things become clear. It would also direct the concerned agencies for a crackdown against the wrongdoers because the names found in the lists include many common medicines which are used extensively by the population across the country.
Reportedly, the medicines found to be spurious and of sub standard are being consumed by those suffering from hypertension, diabetes, and more. The CDSCO’s alert should have been taken as very seriously by the concerned quarters with responses like recalling the substandard drugs from pharmacies and conducting thorough investigations into the manufacturers responsible.
Unfortunately, the government’s inaction has left consumers vulnerable to ineffective or potentially harmful medications, compromising public trust in the health system. It is agonizing that the concerned quarters in the government are sitting over the matter and expecting people to decide which medicine they should take and which not by keeping the aforesaid lists in their hands, which is abysmal and unacceptable.
As the aforesaid report became public in the third week of September, by now, the government should have ensured lifting of the aforesaid medicines lots from the markets, issued advisory for doctors and other medical practitioners not to prescribe the aforesaid lot of drugs and raided manufacturing units and marketing agencies to find the culprits behind this Gorakhdhanda posing a threat to the health of thousands of people in taking these drugs with a hope to become well or fight the lifestyle diseases but to no avail.
It is really a matter of grave concern that the health and safety of millions are at stake. The access to affordable healthcare is already a challenge in India and the failure to take action on substandard medicines will likely have devastating consequences.
For God’s sake, the people at helm should act and act fast before more lives are put at risk because under present circumstances many have been left at the mercy of God.
