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 The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has initiated action for non-compliance on 1,100 cough syrup manufacturing sites inspected out of 1,350 towards wiping out the rot of contaminated cough syrup manufacturing in the country, said the drugs controller general of India (DCGI) Dr. Rajeev Singh Raghuvanshi at the inaugural session of 11th Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit (GPQS) organised by the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IP Alliance) between February 23 and 24, 2026 in Mumbai.
He further informed that the CDSCO has also simultaneously conducted risk based inspections of 1,250 sites over the past two years and issued 850 Corrective and Preventive Actions (CAPAs) based on not of standard quality (NSQ) medicines data over the past 10 months. DCGI emphasized that manufacturers must conduct root cause analyses for failures, whether related to assay (active ingredient measurement), dissolution, instability, sterility, or analytical errors, and submit validated proof of corrective measures before regulatory clearances are restored.
Reiterating its focus on Quality and Ease of Doing Business (EoDB), the DCGI said that Risk Based Inspections will continue with the same rigour and purpose in the coming days.
CDSCO initiatives include building a NSQ dashboard for the buyers to assess the pharma companies’ products quality and related data while evaluating tenders and enabling closer scrutiny of companies. It is also working an internal scientific cadre and strengthening the manpower within the CDSCO.
J P Nadda, Union minister for health & family welfare and minister of chemicals & fertilizers, while delivering his keynote address in the inaugural session said that with redesigning of the global medicine supply chains, India as the Pharmacy to the World is poised to deliver quality, reliability and innovation. The Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated the Bio Pharma Shakti programme to usher in innovation and quality with focus of non-communicable (NCDs).
Sudarshan Jain, secretary general, IP Alliance said, “Through the 11th edition of the Global Pharmaceutical Quality Summit, IP Alliance aims to reimagine the future of quality by focusing on the intersection of talent, technology and trust. The insights from deliberations at the event will help shape future-ready quality and operations frameworks and support India’s continued evolution as a trusted global pharmaceutical partner.”
IP Alliance at the 11th GPQS at the inaugural session also launched the Best Practices Documents in prevention of contamination in pharma manufacturing, logistics and transportation worthiness for pharmaceutical product packaging and sustainability in pharmaceutical industry.
This event will feature high-impact sessions with eminent speakers, including representatives from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), and the CDSCO, alongside global industry and consulting experts.
In addition, IP Alliance will introduce the Lifetime Achievement Award in Academia, recognising distinguished contributions to pharmaceutical science and quality, and the Hackathon Winning Presentation, spotlighting innovation and emerging talent in quality advancement.
The IP Alliance represents 23 leading national pharmaceutical companies committed to advancing innovation, improving access to healthcare, and contributing to economic growth. Together, IPA members account for over 85% of private sector investment in pharmaceutical research and development, drive more than 80% of India’s drug and pharmaceutical exports, and serve over 64% of the domestic market. Through policy advocacy, regulatory excellence, and industry collaboration, IP Alliance works to strengthen India’s position as the Pharmacy of the World.
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