Over 90 drugs fail quality tests in 2025; majority from India

 

 A total of 93 drugs have failed quality tests so far in 2025, according to the Medical Supplies Division of the Health Ministry.

Of the drugs that failed the tests, 42 were manufactured in India, while 25 were locally produced. The remaining drugs originated from countries including China, Pakistan, Japan, and Bangladesh.

Among the drugs identified as substandard, some have been withdrawn, withheld, or discontinued, the Health Ministry said.

The Ministry further noted that a total of 600 drug quality failures have been recorded since 2017. The highest number of such cases, 96, was reported in 2019, while 86 drugs failed quality tests in 2022.

In 2024, a total of 83 quality failures were reported.

Drug quality concerns came under intense public scrutiny in 2023 following reports of complications and deaths linked to certain medicines.

Nearly two years later, the issue has resurfaced following reports of two recent deaths allegedly caused by complications related to the anaesthesia-associated drug Ondansetron. However, investigations into the incidents are still underway.