11 drug samples from Punjab fail: 3 cough syrups included, declared substandard in CDSCO report; pharma companies under scrutiny

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) has raised serious questions about drug quality across the country. According to the report, a total of 112 drug samples failed quality tests, including 11 manufactured in Punjab.

The highest number of drugs, 49, were from Himachal Pradesh, 16 from Gujarat, 12 from Uttarakhand, 11 from Punjab, and 6 from Madhya Pradesh, among other states. Most shockingly, three cough syrups also failed, one of which was found to be counterfeit.

These drugs are used to treat serious illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, infections, pain, inflammation, anemia, and epilepsy. Just a few days ago, the Punjab government banned the use of eight drugs, including Coldrif cough syrup.

Following the CDSCO report, the process of removing the batches containing these drugs from the market has been expedited. All medical stores, doctors, and hospitals have been ordered to immediately stockpile these drugs and provide safer alternatives to patients.

Drugs tested in 52 laboratories across the country

According to a report released in September 2025, 52 drugs failed to meet central and 60 drugs failed state-level standards in central and state-level laboratories across the country. The highest number of drugs, 49, were from Himachal Pradesh, 16 from Gujarat, 12 from Uttarakhand, 11 from Punjab, and 6 from Madhya Pradesh, among other states.

Following the sampling of the 11 drugs manufactured in Punjab that failed, notices have been issued to the respective pharmaceutical companies. The process of removing batches containing these drugs from the market has also been expedited.

The Punjab government has already taken action regarding Coldrif.

The Punjab government immediately banned not only state-manufactured drugs but also the recently controversial cough syrup Coldrif, which had led to the deaths of children in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. The Health Department banned its use, sale, and purchase in all government hospitals.

The government has ordered all medical stores, doctors, and hospitals to stock up on this syrup immediately.

11 Drugs That Failed: Learn the Reasons

Agen-20 Rapebrazole Tablets IP (Mohali). Use: To reduce stomach acidity. Rejection Reason: Failed quality standards in acid-stage and buffer-stage tests.
Panzol-40 Tablets Pantoprazole Gystro Resistant IP 40 mg (Mohali). Use: To treat stomach acidity and ulcers. Rejection Reason: Failed the dissolution test of pantoprazole in the buffer stage.
Raxofen Ibuprofen and Paracetamol Tablets IP (Mohali). Use: To reduce pain and fever. Rejection Reason: Failed the dissolution test of paracetamol and ibuprofen.
Podorum Cefpodoxime Tablets IP 200 mg (Gurdaspur). Use: To treat bacterial infections. Rejection reason: Defects in dissolution and dosage tests of cefpoxime.
Cyproheptadine Tablets IP 4 mg (Gurdaspur). Use: For the relief of allergies and asthma. Rejection reason: Defects in the dosage test of cyproheptadine hydrochloride.
Loperamide Hydrochloride Capsules IP 2 mg (Gurdaspur). Use: To prevent diarrhea. Rejection reason: Failed the dissolution test.
Panzol Pantoprazole Sodium Tablets IP (Gurdaspur). Use: To treat stomach acidity. Rejection reason: Failed the dissolution (buffer stage) test.
Amlocare-AT Amlodipine and Atenolol Tablets IP (Gurdaspur). Use: To treat high blood pressure. Rejection reason: Defects in the dosage test of amlodipine and atenolol.
Amoxicillin and Potassium Clavulanate Tablets IP (SAS Nagar). Use: To treat bacterial infections. Rejection reason: Quality issues in assay and dissolution.

Fecopod Cefpodoxime Proxetil Tablets 200 mg (Derabassi). Use: Infection treatment. Rejection reason: Failed dissolution test.

Paracetamol, Phenylephrine Hydrochloride, and Chlorpheniramine Maleate Suspension (Jalandhar). Use: Cold, cough, and allergies. Rejection reason: Failed assay test.

Use of 8 drugs banned 12 days ago

Following the ban on Coldrif cough syrup, the Punjab government banned the use of 8 drugs about 12 days ago. These drugs are manufactured by three pharmaceutical companies in the state. The order was issued by the Directorate of Health and Family Welfare. A batch number was also issued for these drugs, which will no longer be used.

The Punjab government took this decision after receiving complaints of adverse reactions after administering the drugs to patients. These drugs include those used to treat pneumonia and throat, nose, and skin infections. Painkiller injections are also banned.