Daijiworld Media Network- New Delhi
New Delhi, Jun 26: In a shocking revelation that could have grave implications for global cancer care, a recent investigation has uncovered that several chemotherapy drugs manufactured by Indian pharmaceutical companies have failed crucial quality tests, potentially endangering the lives of cancer patients across over 100 countries.
The investigation, conducted by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism (TBIJ), alongside researchers from the University of Notre Dame, highlights serious lapses in drug efficacy and safety. These drugs — central to treatment regimens for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and various types of leukaemia — were found to have either too little or excessively high levels of their active ingredients.
In cases where the drugs had inadequate levels of key ingredients, pharmacists likened administering them to giving patients “nothing at all.” On the other end, drugs with dangerously high dosages pose a fatal risk, capable of causing severe organ damage. "Both scenarios are horrendous," a pharmacist associated with the study was quoted saying. "It’s heartbreaking."
These chemotherapy agents, many of which are supplied through government-funded or low-cost cancer programmes globally, are produced by Indian pharmaceutical firms that dominate the world’s generic medicine market. India, often dubbed the “pharmacy of the world,” accounts for a significant share of the world’s affordable drug exports — a sector now facing heightened scrutiny in the wake of this expose.
Health experts fear that this lapse in drug quality could erode public trust in generic medications and result in disastrous outcomes for millions of vulnerable patients, particularly in low- and middle-income nations that depend heavily on Indian-made treatments due to cost constraints.
As the findings ripple through global health communities, regulators are expected to re-evaluate the testing mechanisms and licensing procedures in place. Meanwhile, calls for stricter enforcement, real-time quality monitoring, and transparency in pharmaceutical production have intensified.
The Indian pharmaceutical industry has yet to release an official statement regarding the allegations. However, sources within regulatory circles have indicated that a probe into the quality control practices of implicated firms may soon be initiated.
With lives on the line and trust shaken, this revelation serves as a sobering reminder of the vital importance of pharmaceutical accountability — where a lapse can mean the difference between life and death.