Karnataka Finds 301 Poor Quality Medicine Batches During Five Year Checks

Quality testing of medicines supplied through Karnataka’s public healthcare system has raised concerns after more than 300 batches were found to have failed prescribed standards during inspections conducted over the past five years.

According to information from the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited, 301 batches covering 98 different types of medicines were classified as not of standard quality. The findings include medicines that are commonly used in hospitals and healthcare facilities, making quality control an important concern.

The list reportedly includes paracetamol, ibuprofen, antibiotics, iron supplements and several injectable medicines. IV fluids, which are routinely used in hospitals, were also among the products that came under scrutiny.

Medicine Worth Nearly 19.2 Crore Rupees Flagged

The medicines identified during the inspections were part of supplies purchased through the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation. The total value of the medicines involved was reported to be around 19.2 crore rupees.

The number of batches found to be below standard has varied considerably from year to year. During 2021 to 2022, testing identified 77 batches worth around 9 crore rupees as failing quality requirements.

A sharper increase was recorded in 2024 to 2025. During that period, 146 batches valued at approximately 5.2 crore rupees were classified as not of standard quality.

The figures have drawn attention to the importance of tighter checks across the medicine procurement and supply chain, particularly for products intended for government hospitals and other public healthcare facilities.

Government Orders Immediate Action

The state government has said action is being taken whenever a medicine batch fails the required quality test. Supplies of such products are stopped after the problem is identified, preventing further distribution through the public healthcare system.

Suppliers are also directed to replace the affected stock with medicines meeting the required standards. They have reportedly been given a period of 10 days to provide replacement supplies.

Five Companies Blacklisted

Health authorities have already blacklisted at least five companies accused of supplying medicines that did not meet the prescribed standards.

The action is intended to send a clear message to suppliers that quality requirements cannot be ignored. At the same time, regular testing remains important because medicines supplied to government facilities are ultimately used by patients who depend on the public healthcare system.

The latest findings do not mean that all medicines supplied through the system are unsafe. The quality concerns relate specifically to the batches that failed the prescribed tests. Authorities are expected to continue monitoring supplies and taking action whenever a batch does not meet the required standards.

For patients and healthcare workers, consistent testing is particularly important because even widely used medicines need to meet established quality specifications before reaching hospitals and clinics.