159 Indian healthcare products fail quality tests in May 2026 crackdown

A recent nationwide quality check revealed serious issues with multiple healthcare products. In May 2026, 159 drug samples failed to meet required standards across India. The findings raise concerns about the safety and efficacy of these items. The Food and Drug Administration Laboratory in Mumbai identified several products as not of standard quality. Among them were a sunscreen lotion, a facewash, an anti-allergy syrup, a Vitamin K injection, and an antibiotic tablet combination. These included UV ETO SPF 50+ Sunscreen Lotion, Skeenglow Facewash, Levocetirizine Dihydrochloride Syrup, Phytomenadione Injection BP, and Ofloxacin and Ornidazole Tablets.

The failed products had various issues. The sunscreen and facewash did not pass microbial examination tests. The Vitamin K injection failed the pH test under Indian Pharmacopoeia standards. The anti-allergy syrup and antibiotic tablets were non-compliant due to microbial contamination and related substance standards respectively.

Nationwide, 46 samples failed tests at Central Drugs Laboratories. Another 113 were flagged by State Drugs Testing Laboratories. Additionally, one drug sample from Assam was confirmed as a counterfeit, produced by an unauthorised manufacturer. The results highlight widespread quality control failures in healthcare products. Authorities have identified specific batches of medicines and cosmetics that do not meet regulatory standards. Consumers are advised to verify product authenticity and report any suspicious items to health officials.