Solan, August 22: As many as 82 drug samples manufactured by 65 pharmaceutical units in Himachal Pradesh have failed quality tests, according to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation’s (CDSCO) July 2026 drug alert.
The failed samples include medicines used for fever and pain, bacterial infections, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, acidity, anaemia, allergies, skin ailments, vomiting and vitamin and calcium deficiencies. The list also includes tablets, injections, syrups, creams, gels and ointments.
The drugs were manufactured at pharmaceutical units located in Baddi, Barotiwala, Nalagarh, Paonta Sahib, Kala Amb, Moginand, Mehatpur, Bathu Haroli, Nurpur, Sansarpur Terrace, Kumarhatti and Subathu.
According to the report, a total of 240 drug samples across the country were found to be not of standard quality (NSQ) in the July 2026 alert, including two products categorised as spurious. Of these, 82 samples were manufactured in Himachal Pradesh, accounting for a significant share of the total cases.
The Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) pharmaceutical belt accounted for 52 of the 82 failed samples, raising fresh concerns over drug quality in one of India’s largest pharmaceutical manufacturing hubs.
The samples reportedly failed tests related to dissolution, assay, disintegration, identification, pH and sterility.
Action Under Rules
State Drug Controller Dr Manish Kapoor said action would be taken as per the prescribed rules against the manufacturers whose drug samples failed quality tests.
He said the process of recalling the affected batches from the market and seeking explanations from the concerned pharmaceutical units would be initiated.
Antibiotics, Cardiac and Diabetes Drugs on List
The list includes samples of medicines containing antibiotics such as amoxicillin, amoxicillin-potassium clavulanate, cefixime, cefpodoxime, ofloxacin and azithromycin combinations.
Samples of medicines used in the treatment of heart-related conditions, including clopidogrel-aspirin, atorvastatin-clopidogrel and carvedilol, were also found to have failed quality parameters. A sample of the diabetes medicine gliclazide was also among the products listed.
Acidity, Allergy and Other Medicines
Medicines containing omeprazole, pantoprazole and rabeprazole, used for acidity and gastric problems, were also included among the failed samples.
A rabeprazole injection reportedly failed multiple parameters, including description, pH, clarity, particulate matter and assay. Allergy medicines and cough-and-cold combinations containing levocetirizine, phenylephrine and chlorpheniramine were also listed.
Creams, Ointments and Injections Also Fail
Several creams, gels and ointments used for skin-related conditions also failed quality tests. One betamethasone valerate ointment reportedly contained only 73.7% of the required active drug content, while another cream was found to contain 51.5% chlorhexidine.
Some injections also failed sterility and other quality tests. Two separate batches of Compound Sodium Lactate Injection reportedly failed sterility tests, while other samples failed parameters such as pH, particulate matter, assay and clarity.
Several batches of medicines used to treat anaemia, including ferrous ascorbate and folic acid tablets, were also found to be not of standard quality. Products containing folic acid, calcium, Vitamin D3, methylcobalamin, zinc and other vitamin combinations were also included in the list.The action against the concerned manufacturers is expected to proceed in accordance with drug quality and regulatory provisions.
