The recent drug sample examinations in Kashmir have raised serious safety and quality concerns about the drugs entering the Union Territory. According to results, "nearly 111 batches of popular and over-the-counter medicines have failed quality testing and were declared 'Not of Standard Quality (NSQ).’
These tests were conducted by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
The latest report on these popular drugs suggests that batches of six medicines tested at the lab failed to meet the required standards.
The fresh CDSCO alert is part of a nationwide list and identifies 111 batches of drugs as unsafe for consumption. The medicines found NSQ were all tested at the Drug Testing Laboratory (DTL) Dalgate. These include aceclofenac combinations, telmisartan-based formulations and other widely prescribed drugs.
The reports pertain to May 2026. The medicines listed in the report are popular and consumed by all age groups for their safety and availability in the market.
However, the results are more than enough to send shockwaves through the administration, particularly the health ministry in the Union Territory.
A review of the official Drugs and Food Control Organisation (DFCO) website shows that the last publicly accessible drug testing and sampling updates are from March 2026. Since then, no monthly reports, sample-testing data, enforcement actions or surveillance summaries have been uploaded for public information.
Over the years, several fake and counterfeit drugs have been seized in Jammu and Kashmir, be it cough syrups, painkillers, or even life-saving drugs (LSD), including the ones used for thyroid, diabetes, and blood pressure regulation.
The situation, if left unattended, could turn serious since there is no data available about which drugs are being collected and tested and which of the drugs failed the quality test.
There should be transparency and accountability, with a detailed list of the drugs being published on public portals for general information.
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