The news that 53 medicines claiming to relieve ailments such as fever, pain, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc., have failed to meet quality standards during trials is concerning. The inclusion of Paracetamol, a widely used medicine in the country, among these is ironic. It is astonishing that these medicines are being sold openly under the nose of the government. The Central Drug Regulator has released a list of medicines that do not meet quality standards.
The general public is left wondering how these substandard drugs affect our health. Moreover, has any action been taken against those selling inferior medicines? As of now, no official information has been released in this regard. Undoubtedly, this is shameful and exposes the failure of the system, where the medicines people buy to alleviate physical suffering are substandard. It is highly likely that such inferior medicines could also have negative consequences. Serious research is needed in this regard.
Importantly, the medicine Paracetamol, which is commonly taken by people, also failed in the trials. It is generally believed that this medicine is effective in treating occasional fevers, pains, etc. Including it in the Central Drug Regulator's list of substandard medicines will undoubtedly break people's trust. It is unfortunate that human values have declined to the extent that people do not hesitate to play with the lives of suffering patients for their own benefit.
Although the CDSCO (Central Drugs Standard Control Organization) has tested the quality of 53 medicines, only a list of 48 was eventually released. The reason behind this is that five of the listed medicines were claimed by the manufacturing companies to be fake drugs being sold under their brand names. The unethical practices in the pharmaceutical industry are increasing the crisis in people's lives. While the Drug Standard Control Organization has banned these medicines, today, these medicines are not saving millions of lives; instead, human greed is taking them.
Many branded companies' medicines have also been included in the list of substandard and defective drugs. Despite strict processes in place to ensure the quality of medicines, cases of substandard medicines continue to surface. Even well-known pharmaceutical companies' products are failing to meet the standards, leading one to believe that these companies have begun compromising ethics and humanity for more profits at lower costs. In addition to the issue of inferior drugs, many fake medicines are also being sold.
These include medicines for BP, diabetes, acid reflux, and certain vitamins. Furthermore, among the medicines that have failed CDSCO's quality standards are Paracetamol (a fever reducer), Diclofenac (a painkiller), and Fluconazole (an antifungal medicine), produced by some of the country's largest pharmaceutical companies, which have also been declared harmful to health.
The release of a list of substandard medicines has raised concerns about the safety of patients' health. Patients take medicine with the hope of recovery. Today, these medicines are not saving millions of lives; human greed is killing them. The inclusion of many branded companies' medicines among substandard and defective drugs is alarming. Despite strict processes to ensure the quality of medicines, these cases of non-compliance with standards keep surfacing. The process includes testing raw materials and inspecting the production process. Even then, if well-known pharmaceutical companies' products fail to meet the standards, it shows that they have begun to sacrifice ethics and humanity for more profits at lower costs.
This is not the first time medicines have failed to meet quality standards. The common public remains with the question: if these medicines do not meet the standards, what are their negative consequences? How much will these substandard medicines affect our health? Also, has any action been taken against those selling inferior medicines? Undoubtedly, this is shameful and highlights the failure of the system, where people buy medicines to reduce physical suffering, only to find them substandard. It is highly likely that such inferior medicines could have negative consequences, and serious research is needed in this regard. The ongoing sale of these medicines poses a threat to people's health.
Meanwhile, the DSCO (Drugs Standards Control Organization) has granted exemptions for some medicines imported from select countries like the USA, Australia, Japan, Canada, and the European Union from routine sample testing. Yet, defects are being found in medicines from companies entering the Indian market. This will negatively affect our image. Any negligence in drug testing is inexcusable, as this malpractice in the pharmaceutical business could become a threat to people's lives.
The reality is that state governments are also delaying action against pharmaceutical companies run by the powerful and wealthy class, and it is the common people who are paying the price. It is unfortunate that human values have declined to such an extent that people do not hesitate to play with the lives of suffering patients for their own benefit.
Despite strict processes in place to ensure the quality of medicines, cases of substandard medicines continue to surface
This August, the central government banned the sale of 156 fixed-dose combination (FDC) medicines. In fact, these medicines were generally used in the form of cold and fever relief, pain relievers, multivitamins, and antibiotics. The production, distribution, and use of these medicines were banned because they were found to be harmful to patients.
The government took this decision based on the recommendations of the Drug Technical Advisory Board, but medical quality remains questionable. In fact, the combination of several medicines into one pill is known as fixed-dose combination drugs (FDCs). However, the lack of standards in life-saving medicines used for common ailments is playing with patients' lives.
The culprits selling inferior medicines must be severely punished. Such individuals are only interested in personal enrichment through wealth. Now, it seems that the times have become so absurd that anyone who gets the opportunity is involved in looting. The extent of this is evident when reports emerge of counterfeit injections being made instead of life-saving injections.
We have become so greedy and inhumane that we have lost all sense of sensitivity, which is why we sell our dignity and mix Paracetamol into injections to sell them. What will all this wealth be worth? Pharmaceutical companies are jeopardizing people's health by compromising on the quality of medicines. Firstly, there are no effective treatments for many diseases, and secondly, the essential medicines used for these diseases are unverified and defective. The government has failed to control this situation.
Millions of people across the country are looking to the administration for a way out. It seems that the government's control over the system is weakening. Where will the common man go? The country that once gave the world a message of nobility, morality, and humanity now stands on the verge of moral collapse. Today, the country is so hollow and frail in terms of values and sensitivity.
Materialistic and selfish values have taken root so deeply that eradicating them will not be easy. The entire conduct of man has become corrupt. Immorality has infiltrated all small and large businesses. In such circumstances, governments will have to formulate long-term policies, considering the broader implications. The regulatory departments must be held accountable, and those guilty of selling substandard medicines must be punished.
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*Social activist
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