A 47% increase in spurious and substandard drugs since the Covid-19 pandemic has been reported by the Bengal Chemists and Druggists Association (BCDA). The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) also noted January 2025 as one of the highest recorded detection periods of non-standard quality (NSQ) drugs in recent history.As per BCDA, the competition on the basis of discounts in the pharma industry and the introduction of GST have been the factors that have increased the number of spurious drugs. The body alerted consumers and authorities to the possible health consequences of using unauthorized sources of drugs.

Major Highlights of the Report
1. Shocking Rise in Spurious Medicines

• Post-Covid Effect: There has been a 47% rise in spurious drugs being introduced in the market following the pandemic.

• High-Risk Category: Approximately 15% of the drugs available in the market are suspected to be counterfeit, spurious, or illegal.

• Out-of-State Sources: Most of these drugs are thought to be produced in other states and later supplied in West Bengal and other areas.

• BCDA Spokesperson Shankha Roy Choudhury:

"Increase in spurious drugs is a serious danger to public health and safety. Competition to give discounts and levying of GST have added fuel to the fire."

2. Unregulated Drug Procurement and Retailer Margins
Retailers and Wholesalers' Fixed Margins:

• Retailers: Get 16% margin on controlled medicines and 20% on decontrolled medicines.

• Wholesalers: Get 8% on controlled medicines and 10% on decontrolled medicines.

High Discount Offers Are a Red Flag

• Some of the retailers providing excessive discounts might be sourcing drugs from unauthorised sources.

• Customers should check retailers who provide unusually high discounts.

Rajiv Singhal, General Secretary, All India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD):
"Retailers who provide exceptionally high discounts need to be checked by customers, as they might be obtaining medicines from unauthorised sources."

3. BCDA's Plan to Raise Awareness

• BCDA is initiating a campaign to raise awareness among consumers and pharmacists on the risks of spurious drugs.

• The association is collaborating with regulatory bodies to ensure tighter surveillance and enforcement against spurious medicines.

BCDA's Immediate Suggestions:

• More stringent regulatory enforcement to trace the sources of counterfeit drugs.

• Consumer education programs to make the public aware of how to recognize authentic medicines.

• Increased surveillance of discount-driven drug sales to avoid unauthorized sources.

4. Increasing Worry About Public Health Dangers

• Counterfeit medications are not controlled for quality and can include improper ingredients or lethal impurities.

• The distribution of counterfeit medicines erodes patient safety and diminishes confidence in the medical establishment.

• If uncontrolled, unregulated drug distribution might create severe health issues for unwary consumers.

The 47% rise in counterfeit medicines after Covid reflects grave issues of public health and drug regulation. With an estimated 15% of medicines being counterfeit, the pharmaceutical industry is confronted with a mounting crisis. Regulators, pharmacists, and consumers alike need to remain alert to prevent the proliferation of spurious drugs and ensure patient safety.