CDSCO Flags Spurious and NSQ Drug Batches in December 2025 Surveillance 

Key Highlights: 

• Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has identified seven drug samples as spurious and flagged 167 medicines as Not of Standard Quality (NSQ) during its routine drug surveillance for December 2025. 

• The spurious list included batches of Telma-AM, Telma 40, Montina L, Pantop D and Chymoral Forte. Several samples were detected in the regulator’s North Zone jurisdiction and other state laboratories. 

• In addition, 167 drug samples, including commonly used medicines such as Paracetamol and Pantoprazole, were classified as NSQ after failing quality parameters like dissolution, assay and weight uniformity. Authorities said the findings apply only to the tested batches and investigations are ongoing under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act. 

Implications:  

Quality failures erode trust in high-volume generics, handing innovator brands a compliance advantage as hospitals pivot to verified suppliers. 
Tier-2 manufacturers reel from recall pressures while quality-focused players rapidly capture displaced volume. 
Regulatory spotlight accelerates industry shakeout, favoring vertically integrated majors with robust quality systems over fragmented small players. 

Source: Business Standard | Image: CDSCO