BY TC News Desk
Agartala, 17th March 2026: Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha informed the Assembly today that the State Drugs Testing Laboratory (SDTL) has initiated action against 62 medicines found to be “not of standard quality” (NSQ), manufactured by pharmaceutical companies across India.
Responding to a query raised by Congress MLA Gopal Chandra Roy, Dr. Saha said the SDTL, located in Agartala, has not reported any spurious drugs in the 2024–25 financial year or so far in 2025–26.
Roy, however, criticized the state for having only one laboratory, questioning why similar facilities were not established in each district. He cited national data from the Drug Control Organization of India, which reported around one lakh spurious drugs worth ₹20,000 crore, and argued that the Northeast remains vulnerable. “It is not acceptable that Tripura has not reported a single spurious drug. Were saline and injections tested or not?” he asked.
In reply, Dr. Saha clarified that while spurious drugs were last detected in Tripura in 2013, NSQ medicines continue to surface. “Based on suspicion, tests are conducted from time to time. In 2024–25, 19 NSQ cases were reported, and 43 cases have been identified in 2025–26,” he said.
Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman raised further concerns, stating, “We are in fear.” He pressed the government to disclose how many companies had been blacklisted and whether wholesalers procuring NSQ drugs were facing action.
Dr. Saha assured the House that measures were underway. “No spurious drugs have been found since 2013. However, NSQ drugs have been listed. Suspension orders have been issued, stay orders were given in 16 cases, three cases are pending in court, and action is in process for 40 cases. Companies located in other states have also been informed,” he said.
