Fake medicines
Spurious drugs in India
Last checked 20 September 2026. Source: CDSCO spurious-drug alerts; Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940
In short
A spurious drug is one that imitates or is a substitute for another drug, or is sold under a name belonging to another drug, or purports to be the product of a manufacturer who did not make it. Section 17B of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. Making or selling spurious drugs that cause death or grievous hurt is punishable with imprisonment of not less than ten years, extendable to life (Section 27(a)).
What the law says
Section 17B defines five situations in which a drug is deemed spurious: it is manufactured under a name belonging to another drug; it imitates or substitutes another drug in a way likely to deceive; the label bears the name of a fictitious individual or company; it has been substituted wholly or partly by another substance; or it purports to be the product of a manufacturer of whom it is not truly a product. That last limb is the one CDSCO's monthly alerts most often engage: a laboratory finds a sample bearing a well-known brand and batch number, and the labelled company states that it never manufactured that batch.
How spurious differs from NSQ
A Not-of-Standard-Quality result means a genuine product failed a pharmacopoeial test, assay, dissolution, sterility and so on. A spurious finding means the product is not what it claims to be. CDSCO now publishes the two lists separately, and its spurious feed carries an explicit caveat that each entry is "subject to outcome of investigation" together with the labelled firm's reply. This site reproduces both, unedited.
How to tell a fake from a genuine pack
Check that the batch number, manufacturing and expiry dates are printed, not stamped over; that the manufacturer's name and licence number appear after "Mfd. by"; that the strip's foil, colour and font match a previous purchase; and that the price is not implausibly low. Since 2023, the top 300 brands must carry a QR code under the Drugs Rules (Schedule H2) that resolves to the manufacturer's verification page. If anything looks wrong, do not consume the medicine, take it back to the pharmacy and report it to the state drug controller.
Suspected spurious batches flagged by CDSCO (47)
| Product | Batch | Labelled manufacturer | Reported by | Remarks / firm's reply | Alert |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buprenorphine Injection I.P. 2ml | LM1888Mfg 2023-04 · Exp 2029-05 | Under Investigation | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Jul 2026 |
| Cefixime Dispersible Tablets IP | TC2439Mfg 2024-10 · Exp 2027-03 | Blue Cross Laboratories Pvt. Ltd.,A-12, MIDC, Nashik - 422010,Maharashtra | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | May 2026 |
| Amoxycillin and Potassium Clavulanate Tablets IP | 825D167Mfg 2025-06 · Exp 2026-11 | Medreich Limited,Survey No. 14 & 15, Vision Gundarahalli Village, Sulibele Hobli, Hoskote Taluk, Bangaluru Rural District - 562 114 | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | May 2026 |
| Ursodeoxycholic Acid Tablets IP | GTF2281AMfg 2024-08 · Exp 2026-07 | Under Investigation | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Apr 2026 |
| L-Carnitine, L- Tartarate ,Mecobalamin & Folic Acid Tablets | B95Y032Mfg 2025-03 · Exp 2027-02 | M/s: Mandkind Pharma Ltd., Doring Block, Bermiok Elaka, Dist. Namchi, Sikkim-737126 | SDTL, Assam | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Apr 2026 |
| Buprenorphine Injection IP 2ml | LM1889Mfg 2023-12 · Exp 2029-11 | Under Investigation | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Mar 2026 |
| Betamethasone And Clioquinol Cream BP | K73GMfg 2025-11 · Exp 2027-10 | Under Investigation | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Feb 2026 |
| Urseodeoxycholic Acid Tablets IP 300 MG | GTG2220AMfg 2025-07 · Exp 2027-06 | Under Investigation | SDTL, Assam | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Feb 2026 |
| Clobetasol Propionate & Gentamicin Sulphate Cream | IA00187AMfg 2025-07 · Exp 2027-06 | Under Investigation | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Feb 2026 |
| Amoxycillin & Potassium Clavulanate Tablet IP | 25440617Mfg 2025-02 · Exp 2026-07 | Under Investigation | SDTL, Kolkata, WB | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Feb 2026 |
| Trypsin-Chymotrypsin Tablets | 2KU6L055Mfg 2024-12 · Exp 2027-11 | Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd. 32 No. Middle Camp NH-10 East District Gangtok, Sikkim 737135 | FDAL Maharashtra | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Jan 2026 |
| Azithromycin USP/EP/IP | 129-250324-1Mfg 2025-03 · Exp 2029-03 | Under Investigation | CDTL, Mumbai | The actual importer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not supplied by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Jan 2026 |
| Ofloxacin And Ornidazole Tablets IP | E-50032Mfg 2025-01 · Exp 2028-12 | Under Investigation | West Bengal | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Jan 2026 |
| Trypsin-Chymotrypsin Tablets | 2KU6L050Mfg 2024-12 · Exp 2027-11 | Under Investigation | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Jan 2026 |
| (CHYMORAL FORTE) Trypsin-Chymotrypsin Tablets | 2KU6L012Mfg 2024-02 · Exp 2027-01 | Under Investigation | Food & Drugs Laboratory, Vadodara | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Dec 2025 |
| (Montina-L Tablets) Montelukast Sodium and Levocetirizine Hydrochloride Tablets IP | SPJ241236Mfg 2024-09 · Exp 2026-08 | Under Investigation | RDTL,Chandigarh | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Dec 2025 |
| Aceclofenac 100 mg, Serratiopeptidase 15 mg & Paracetamol 325 mg Tablets Zerodol-SP | FND072001BHMfg 2025-01 · Exp 2027-06 | Ipca Laboratories Ltd. 393/394, Melli Jorethang Road, Gom Block, Bharikhola, South District, Sikkim 737 121 | RDTL, Chandigarh | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Dec 2025 |
| Aceclofenac 100 mg, Serratiopeptidase 15 mg & Paracetamol 325 mg Tablets ZERODOL-SP TABLETS | FND0725001BHMfg 2025-01 · Exp 2027-06 | Ipca Laboratories Ltd. 393/394, Melli Jorethang Road, Gom Block, Bharikhola, South District, Sikkim 737 121 | RDTL, Chandigarh | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Dec 2025 |
| Telma-AM Telmisartan 40 mg and Amlodipine 5 mg Tablets IP | 05241038AMfg 2024-07 · Exp 2027-06 | Under Investigation | RDTL, Chandigarh | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Dec 2025 |
| Telma 40 Telmisartan Tablets I.P. 40 mg | 18240413Mfg 2024-05 · Exp 2027-04 | Under Investigation | RDTL, Chandigarh | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Dec 2025 |
| Telma-AM Telmisartan 40mg and Amlodipine 5 mg Tablets IP | 18240626Mfg 2024-08 · Exp 2027-07 | Under Investigation | FDAL, Mumbai | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Dec 2025 |
| Deflazacort Tablets 6 mg Defcort 6 | 13240334AMfg 2024-06 · Exp 2027-05 | Macleods Pharmaceuticals Ltd. 367/7, Kabra Industrial Estate, Kachigam, Daman 396 210 (U.T.) | RDTL, Chandigarh | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Dec 2025 |
| Chymoral Forte Trypsin-Chymotrypsin Tablets | 2KU6L045Mfg 2024-12 · Exp 2027-11 | Under Investigation | FDAL, Mumbai | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Dec 2025 |
| (Pantop-D SR) Pantoprazole Sodium Gastro-resistant and Domperidone Prolonged -release Capsules IP | SPA250021Mfg 2025-01 · Exp 2026-12 | Under Investigation | RDTL,Chandigarh | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Dec 2025 |
| Pantoprazole Gastro-resistant Tablets IP (PAN 40) | 24440478Mfg 2024-02 · Exp 2026-07 | Under Investigation | RDTL,Chandigarh | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Nov 2025 |
| Telmisartan Tablets I.P. 40 mg (Telma 40) | 18240413Mfg 2024-05 · Exp 2027-04 | Under Investigation | RDTL,Chandigarh | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Nov 2025 |
| Trypsin-Chymotrypsin Tablets (Chymoral Forte) | 2KU6L057Mfg 2024-12 · Exp 2027-11 | Under Investigation | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Oct 2025 |
| Trypsin-Chymotrypsin Tablets (CHYMORAL FORTE) | 2KU6L030Mfg 2027-07 · Exp 2027-06 | Under Investigation | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Oct 2025 |
| Azithromycin I.P 500 mg Tablets (Azithral-500) | 2408000201Mfg 2024-03 · Exp 2026-02 | Under Investigation | BDCL, PATNA | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Oct 2025 |
| Telmisartan 40 mg and Amlodipine 5 mg Tablets IP (Telma-AM) | 05241217AMfg 2024-08 · Exp 2027-07 | Under Investigation | NCT of Delhi | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Oct 2025 |
| BUPRENORPHINE INJECTION - 2ml ((NOOPHIN) | LM 18907Mfg 2023-07 · Exp 2029-06 | Under Investigation | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Oct 2025 |
| Besto-Cof DRY COUGH FORMULA | NAMfg ? · Exp ? | Under Investigation | SDTL Raipur Chhattisgarh | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Sep 2025 |
| Diazepam Injection I.P.ml | DA-2403Mfg 2024-03 · Exp 2026-02 | Under Investigation | Drugs Inspector, Bihar | Aug 2025 | |
| Pantoprazole Gastro-resistant Tablets IP (PAN 40) | 24440993Mfg 2024-03 · Exp 2026-08 | Under Investigation | Drugs Inspector, Bihar | Aug 2025 | |
| Pantoprazole Gastro-resistant and Domperidone Prolonged-Release Capsules IP (PAN-D) | 23443507Mfg 2023-09 · Exp 2025-08 | Under Investigation | Drugs Inspector, Bihar | Aug 2025 | |
| Venetoclax Tablets 100 mg (Venclyxto Tablets) | 1274253Mfg ? · Exp 2027-08 | Under Investigation | RDTL, Chandigarh | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a�spurious drug. | Jul 2025 |
| Amoxycillin and Potassium Clavulanate Tablets IP (AUGMENTIN 625 DUO) | 824D269Mfg 2024-09 · Exp ? | Under Investigation | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a�spurious drug. | Jul 2025 |
| Telmisartan 40mg and Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5mg Tablets I.P (Telma H ) | 18210121Mfg 2023-09 · Exp 2026-07 | Under Investigation | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a�spurious drug. | Jul 2025 |
| Amoxicillin and Potassium Clavulanate Tablets IP (Clavam 625) | 24441030Mfg 2024-03 · Exp 2025-08 | Under Investigation | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a�spurious drug. | Jul 2025 |
| Pantoprazole Gastro-resistant Tablets IP (PAN 40) | 23440679Mfg 2023-02 · Exp 2025-07 | Under Investigation | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a�spurious drug. | Jul 2025 |
| Ointment of Heparin Sodium and Benzyl Nicotinate (THROMBOPHOB | I403999Mfg 2024-08 · Exp 2027-07 | Under Investigation | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a�spurious drug. | Jul 2025 |
| Nandrolone Decanoate Injection IP 50 mg/ml (DECA-DURABOLIN 50 Inj.) | G401852Mfg 2024-07 · Exp 2028-06 | Under Investigation | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a�spurious drug. | Jul 2025 |
| Telmisartan 40mg and Hydrochlorothiazide 12.5mg Tablets I.P (Telma H ) | 18230729Mfg 2023-11 · Exp 2026-10 | Under Investigation | CDL, Kolkata | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a�spurious drug. | Jul 2025 |
| Rosuvas F 20 Tablets Rosuvastatin and Fenofibrate Tablets IP | SIF2736AMfg 2024-12 · Exp 2027-05 | Under Investigation | Drugs Inspector Telangana | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Jun 2025 |
| Ointment of Heparin Sodium and Benzyl Nicotinate (THROMBOPHOB) | I404138Mfg 2024-08 · Exp 2027-07 | Under Investigation | Drugs Inspector, New Delhi | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Jun 2025 |
| Cefixime Tablets IP (TAXIM-O 200 TABLETS) | 24460967Mfg 2024-07 · Exp 2026-06 | Under Investigation | Drugs Inspector, Bihar | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Jun 2025 |
| Rosuvas F 10 Tablets Rosuvastatin and Fenofibrate Tablets IP | SIF2676AMfg 2024-12 · Exp 2027-05 | Under Investigation | Drugs Inspector, Telangana | The actual manufacturer (as per label claim) has informed that the impugned batch of the product has not been manufactured by them and that it is a spurious drug. | Jun 2025 |
Each entry is reproduced with CDSCO's own remarks. A spurious finding concerns the specific sample tested; it is not a finding against the labelled company.
Official sources and primary records
- Regulator
- Gazette
- Regulator