Publish monthly list of spurious drugs, DCGI tells state bodies

In a bid to protect consumers from the risks due to poor quality of medicines, cosmetics and medical devices, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has asked the state drug inspectors to maintain a spurious drug list and publish it on monthly basis to avoid its further use. The DCGI has come out with a document for sampling of drugs, cosmetics and medical devices to ensure their better quality.

The list of spurious drug or drugs which are not of standard quality (NSQ) have to be published on the drug regulatory authority’s website every month, the document said.

The document states the draft regulatory guidelines for sampling of drugs, cosmetics and medical devices by drugs inspectors of central and state drug authorities. “This guideline will be useful for effective surveillance for quality and efficacy of drugs and cosmetics by adopting uniform drug sampling methodology for drug inspectors under drug regulatory authorities of state and central,” it said.

The drug inspectors will draw samples of different categories, formulations, and manufacturers from a sales outlet, the document said.

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