New Delhi: Paracetamol and Pantop among other common drugs failing the test is a cause of concern for many who have been relying on the popular over-the-counter (OTC) drugs for years. One move has indeed put everything into question – whether or not we have access to safe medicines, what is the process of drug approval in India, and not to forget the possible side effects of it all. To answer the last question, News9Live interacted with leading doctors, and here’s what they have to say.
What are the side effects of eating substandard drugs?
In an interaction with News9Live, Dr. Bhumesh Tyagi, Senior Consultant of Internal Medicine at ShardaCare – Healthcity said, “The quality of drugs is crucial for ensuring their safety, efficacy, and reliability in treating medical conditions. Drug quality is determined through several markers: purity, potency, safety, and bioavailability. Purity refers to the absence of contaminants or impurities, such as toxins or other harmful substances. Potency ensures the drug has the correct strength and provides the intended therapeutic effect. Safety testing ensures that the drug causes no harmful side effects when used as directed. Bioavailability measures how well and how quickly the drug is absorbed into the bloodstream to exert its effect. These standards are monitored by regulatory bodies like the FDA or WHO, which enforce Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) to maintain drug quality.”
“Consuming low-quality drugs can have serious consequences. These medications may contain impurities, incorrect dosages, or degraded active ingredients, leading to treatment failure or harmful side effects. In some cases, substandard drugs can worsen medical conditions or lead to drug resistance, especially in the case of antibiotics. This poses a significant risk to patient safety and public health,” the expert added.
Dr. Dharmesh Shah, Founder & Director of Holistica World, commented on what this means and what the future may hold. The expert said that the recent failure of paracetamol (PCM) and other common drugs in quality tests has raised significant concerns about the reliability of everyday medications. Alternative approaches in healthcare could include a stronger focus on integrative medicine, such as Ayurvedic and homeopathic treatments, which have a long history of treating similar ailments with natural formulations. Additionally, advancements in AI-powered drug testing and precision medicine could help ensure better quality control and tailored treatments for patients in the future, while reducing reliance on faulty mass-produced drugs.
“The future of healthcare may see a stronger integration of traditional systems like Ayurveda, and homeopathy, especially as concerns over the quality of common drugs persist. Ayurveda, with its holistic approach, offers remedies that enhance the body’s natural healing process and strengthen immunity. As patients and healthcare providers look for safer alternatives, these forms of medicine could complement allopathic treatments. Research into combining traditional medicine with modern diagnostics and biotechnology could create a more personalized, safe, and comprehensive healthcare model,” concluded Dr Shah.
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