{"id":287470,"date":"2026-08-28T09:52:10","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T09:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/?p=287470"},"modified":"2026-08-28T09:52:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T09:52:10","slug":"generic-medicine-quality-in-india-who-regulates-it-and-how-to-spot-fakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/generic-medicine-quality-in-india-who-regulates-it-and-how-to-spot-fakes\/","title":{"rendered":"Generic Medicine Quality\u00a0In\u00a0India: Who Regulates It\u00a0And\u00a0How\u00a0To\u00a0Spot Fakes\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><head><meta http-equiv=\"Content-Type\" content=\"text\/html; charset=utf-8\">\n<\/head><body><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_79_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a91736639c33\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a91736639c33\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/generic-medicine-quality-in-india-who-regulates-it-and-how-to-spot-fakes\/#Introduction\" >Introduction<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/generic-medicine-quality-in-india-who-regulates-it-and-how-to-spot-fakes\/#What_Are_Generic_Medicines\" >What Are Generic Medicines?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/generic-medicine-quality-in-india-who-regulates-it-and-how-to-spot-fakes\/#How_Is_Medicine_Quality_Regulated_in_India\" >How Is Medicine Quality Regulated in India?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/generic-medicine-quality-in-india-who-regulates-it-and-how-to-spot-fakes\/#Why_Do_Fake_or_Substandard_Medicines_Exist\" >Why\u00a0Do\u00a0Fake or Substandard Medicines Exist?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/generic-medicine-quality-in-india-who-regulates-it-and-how-to-spot-fakes\/#How_to_Spot_Fake_or_Low-Quality_Generic_Medicines\" >How to Spot Fake or\u00a0Low-Quality Generic Medicines?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/generic-medicine-quality-in-india-who-regulates-it-and-how-to-spot-fakes\/#Trusted_Sources_to_Buy_Generic_Medicines_in_India\" >Trusted Sources to Buy Generic Medicines in India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/generic-medicine-quality-in-india-who-regulates-it-and-how-to-spot-fakes\/#What_to_Do_If_You_Suspect_a_Fake_Medicine\" >What to Do If You Suspect\u00a0a Fake\u00a0Medicine?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/generic-medicine-quality-in-india-who-regulates-it-and-how-to-spot-fakes\/#Conclusion\" >Conclusion<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/generic-medicine-quality-in-india-who-regulates-it-and-how-to-spot-fakes\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\" >Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/generic-medicine-quality-in-india-who-regulates-it-and-how-to-spot-fakes\/#References\" >References<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n    <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/channel-health-talk\"\n       class=\"pe-healthtalk-banner\"\n       style=\"position:relative; display:block; margin:10px; border-radius:10px; border-bottom:2px solid #117B77; overflow:hidden;\">\n        <span aria-hidden=\"true\" style=\"position:absolute; left:0; bottom:0; width:2px; height:50%; background:#10847e;\"><\/span>\n        <img alt=\"Join Health Talk by PharmEasy on WhatsApp\"\n             src=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/PEhealthtalk-1.png\"\n             style=\"width:100%; display:block; border-radius:10px;\">\n    <\/a>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Introduction\"><\/span><strong>Introduction<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fake or substandard medicines\u00a0can seriously affect\u00a0patient safety. They may not treat the illness properly, may cause unexpected side\u00a0effects, and\u00a0may delay\u00a0recovery. They can also\u00a0reduce\u00a0public trust in generic medicines,\u00a0even though approved generic medicines are expected to meet required\u00a0quality standards. Knowing how medicines are checked and how to look\u00a0for\u00a0warning signs can help patients choose\u00a0medicines\u00a0more safely.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This\u00a0article explains what\u00a0generic\u00a0medicines are, how\u00a0medicine quality\u00a0is regulated\u00a0in India,\u00a0why fake or substandard\u00a0medicines\u00a0may enter the market, and how patients can reduce the risk of buying unsafe products.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_Are_Generic_Medicines\"><\/span><strong>What Are Generic Medicines?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/generics\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Generic medicines<\/a><\/strong> are medicines that\u00a0contain\u00a0the same active ingredient, strength, dosage form, route of administration, safety, and effectiveness as their corresponding branded medicines. They are developed to provide the same therapeutic benefits as the original branded medicine while\u00a0generally costing\u00a0less.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Although generic medicines must meet the same quality and performance standards, they may differ from branded medicines in inactive ingredients, such as colour, flavour, or certain preservatives. These differences\u00a0generally do\u00a0not affect how the medicine works, provided the generic medicine meets the required regulatory standards<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/generic-drugs\/generic-drug-facts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">1<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Is_Medicine_Quality_Regulated_in_India\"><\/span><strong>How Is Medicine Quality Regulated in India?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>India regulates medicines through both central and state drug control authorities. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) sets national drug standards, approves new drugs and clinical trials, checks the quality of imported medicines, and works with\u00a0state\u00a0drug\u00a0control\u00a0authorities. State authorities handle much of the licensing, inspection, market sampling, testing, and enforcement within their states<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/opencms\/en\/About-us\/Functions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">2<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/export\/sites\/CDSCO_WEB\/Pdf-documents\/EoI_DDRS_CDSCO_2ndnov23.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">3<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key\u00a0Roles\u00a0and\u00a0Quality Checks<\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Central regulatory authority:<\/strong>\u00a0CDSCO handles new\u00a0drug and clinical\u00a0trial approval, sets drug standards, and controls the quality of imported medicines<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/opencms\/en\/About-us\/Functions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">2<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>State\u00a0drug controllers:<\/strong>\u00a0State authorities grant and renew licences for the manufacture, sale, and distribution of medicines within their states<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/export\/sites\/CDSCO_WEB\/Pdf-documents\/EoI_DDRS_CDSCO_2ndnov23.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">3<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Manufacturing oversight:<\/strong>\u00a0State regulators oversee licensed drug manufacturing and take regulatory action when requirements under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and Rules are not followed<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/export\/sites\/CDSCO_WEB\/Pdf-documents\/EoI_DDRS_CDSCO_2ndnov23.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">3<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Market quality checks:<\/strong>\u00a0State regulators collect medicine samples from the market and evaluate them through Drug Testing Laboratories<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/export\/sites\/CDSCO_WEB\/Pdf-documents\/EoI_DDRS_CDSCO_2ndnov23.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">3<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Laboratory testing:<\/strong>\u00a0Central and state drug testing laboratories test imported, manufactured, and market-sampled medicines to check whether they meet required quality standards<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/export\/sites\/CDSCO_WEB\/Pdf-documents\/EoI_DDRS_CDSCO_2ndnov23.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">3<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Enforcement:<\/strong>\u00a0State authorities can investigate violations and initiate prosecution under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/export\/sites\/CDSCO_WEB\/Pdf-documents\/EoI_DDRS_CDSCO_2ndnov23.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">3<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n<\/ul><div id=\"sfa_container_287470\" class=\"sfa_container\" style=\"display:none\"><div class=\"sfa_overlay\"><\/div><button id=\"sfa_btn_287470\" class=\"sfa_btn\">Show Full Article<\/button><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Do_Fake_or_Substandard_Medicines_Exist\"><\/span><strong>Why\u00a0Do\u00a0Fake or Substandard Medicines Exist?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fake or substandard medicines may appear in the market for several reasons, including poor manufacturing practices, illegal activity, weak or inconsistent enforcement, medicine shortages, and high demand<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK202531\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">4<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0These problems can make it harder for patients to receive medicines that are safe, effective, and genuine.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Poor\u00a0manufacturing practices:<\/strong>\u00a0Substandard medicines can result when manufacturers do not follow\u00a0required production and quality checks, causing medicines to\u00a0fall below accepted\u00a0standards.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Illegal\u00a0manufacturing\u00a0and\u00a0criminal activity:<\/strong>\u00a0Some\u00a0medicines are deliberately\u00a0made\u00a0or\u00a0labelled to mislead patients, pharmacies, or health systems about what the product\u00a0contains\u00a0or where it came from.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Weak or inconsistent enforcement:<\/strong>\u00a0If inspections, testing, or legal action are delayed or uneven, unsafe\u00a0medicines\u00a0may be more likely\u00a0to\u00a0reach patients\u00a0who\u00a0skip these processes.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Medicine\u00a0shortages\u00a0and\u00a0high\u00a0demand:<\/strong>\u00a0When\u00a0medicines\u00a0are hard to find, patients may turn to informal or unverified\u00a0sources, which can increase the risk of receiving fake or poor-quality products.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_to_Spot_Fake_or_Low-Quality_Generic_Medicines\"><\/span><strong>How to Spot Fake or\u00a0Low-Quality Generic Medicines?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/how-to-spot-fake-generic-medicine-1024x576.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-287493\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/how-to-spot-fake-generic-medicine-1024x576.webp 1024w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/how-to-spot-fake-generic-medicine-375x211.webp 375w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/how-to-spot-fake-generic-medicine-768x432.webp 768w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/how-to-spot-fake-generic-medicine-1536x864.webp 1536w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/how-to-spot-fake-generic-medicine-480x270.webp 480w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/how-to-spot-fake-generic-medicine-853x480.webp 853w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/how-to-spot-fake-generic-medicine-150x84.webp 150w, https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/how-to-spot-fake-generic-medicine.webp 1672w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>A simple visual check can help\u00a0you notice\u00a0possible warning\u00a0signs, but it\u00a0cannot\u00a0prove that\u00a0a\u00a0medicine is genuine. Use the following steps to reduce risk and seek professional advice if anything seems unusual:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul start=\"1\">\n<li><strong>Buy from a trusted pharmacy:<\/strong>\u00a0<a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/online-medicine-order\" title=\"Buy medicines\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\">Buy medicines<\/a> from trusted and licensed outlets, such as pharmacies, clinics, hospitals, doctors, or health centres. WHO specifically recommends avoiding unregistered sources<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/questions-and-answers\/item\/substandard-and-falsified-medical-products-advice-to-patients-and-consumers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">5<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Examine the packaging:<\/strong>\u00a0Check the packaging for damage, spelling mistakes, or grammatical errors. These can be warning signs of a potentially falsified medicine<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/questions-and-answers\/item\/substandard-and-falsified-medical-products-advice-to-patients-and-consumers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">5<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Check dates and package details:<\/strong>\u00a0Check the manufacturing and expiry dates and make sure relevant details on the outer packaging match those on the inner packaging<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/questions-and-answers\/item\/substandard-and-falsified-medical-products-advice-to-patients-and-consumers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">5<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Examine the medicine:<\/strong>\u00a0Check whether the medicine looks as expected and is not discoloured, damaged, crumbling, or unusually smelly. These changes may suggest a problem with the product<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/questions-and-answers\/item\/substandard-and-falsified-medical-products-advice-to-patients-and-consumers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">5<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Verify the\u00a0barcode or\u00a0QR code, where available:<\/strong>\u00a0If the medicine has a barcode or Quick Response (QR) code, CDSCO guidance describes scanning it with a mobile phone and checking the displayed information for signs of authenticity or genuineness<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/export\/sites\/CDSCO_WEB\/Pdf-documents\/Guidance-for-Identification-and-Verification-of-Spurious-Drugs-document.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">6<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Seek professional advice if something seems wrong:<\/strong>\u00a0If you suspect a medicine is not working properly or is causing an unexpected adverse reaction, WHO recommends discussing the concern with a pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible. Suspected falsified medicines should also be reported to the relevant\u00a0medicines\u00a0regulatory authority<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/questions-and-answers\/item\/substandard-and-falsified-medical-products-advice-to-patients-and-consumers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">5<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Trusted_Sources_to_Buy_Generic_Medicines_in_India\"><\/span><strong>Trusted Sources to Buy Generic Medicines in India<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Patients\u00a0should buy generic medicines from recognised government-supported outlets or licensed pharmacies\u00a0whenever possible. Keeping\u00a0the purchase invoice\u00a0can help if you later need\u00a0to\u00a0check the batch number, expiry date, or source of the<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>medicine.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Jan Aushadhi Kendras<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The Government of India\u2019s Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi\u00a0Pariyojana\u00a0(PMBJP) provides generic medicines through dedicated Jan Aushadhi Kendras. The scheme states that medicines are\u00a0procured\u00a0from WHO\u00a0GMP-certified\u00a0manufacturers, and each batch is tested at\u00a0NABL-accredited laboratories before supply<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/janaushadhi.gov.in\/about-pmbjb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">7<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/jan-aushadhi-yojana-the-complete-guide-to-indias-generic-medicine-scheme\/\">Jan Aushadhi Yojana: The Complete Guide to India\u2019s Generic Medicine Scheme<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Licensed\u00a0Pharmacies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Government pharmacy guidance recommends obtaining medicines from authorised suppliers and checking that the medicine name, batch number and expiry date match the invoice<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/dfda.goa.gov.in\/images\/uploads\/prescription_guidelines_booklet_for_doctors_pharmacists.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">8<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Established Online Pharmacies<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Online medicine platforms\u00a0like\u00a0PharmEasy\u00a0may help patients order medicines through registered third-party retail pharmacies. Patients should still check whether a valid prescription is\u00a0required, review the invoice, and confirm that the medicine received matches the order details<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/legal\/terms-and-conditions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">9<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The verification process at\u00a0PharmEasy\u00a0involves\u00a0the following checks\u00a0to\u00a0help\u00a0ensure the quality of generic medicines<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/legal\/terms-and-conditions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">9<\/a><\/sup>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Prescription verification:<\/strong>\u00a0For prescription medicines,\u00a0PharmEasy\u00a0requires a valid prescription, which is verified by the retail pharmacy; discrepancies may result in cancellation.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Invoice:<\/strong>\u00a0The invoice is issued by the retail pharmacy processing the order. The quantity, batch number,\u00a0and expiry date of medicines should be checked against the invoice.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Authenticity:<\/strong>\u00a0PharmEasy\u2019s\u00a0terms\u00a0state\u00a0that the authenticity and genuineness of products are the responsibility of the retail pharmacies supplying them.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_to_Do_If_You_Suspect_a_Fake_Medicine\"><\/span><strong>What to Do If You Suspect\u00a0a Fake\u00a0Medicine?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you suspect that a medicine may be fake or substandard,\u00a0do not ignore the concern. Speak with\u00a0your doctor or pharmacist, keep the packaging and invoice, and avoid using the medicine until you receive\u00a0appropriate advice.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The\u00a0following\u00a0checks may help you collect useful information:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Check the medicine pack:<\/strong>\u00a0Look for the batch number, manufacturing date, expiry date, and product identification code where these details are provided<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/export\/sites\/CDSCO_WEB\/Pdf-documents\/Guidance-for-Identification-and-Verification-of-Spurious-Drugs-document.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">6<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Check for a\u00a0barcode or a\u00a0QR code:<\/strong>\u00a0For medicines where such a code is\u00a0provided, check the package for the\u00a0barcode or\u00a0QR code. Use a mobile phone to scan the\u00a0barcode\/QR code and read the information displayed; it\u00a0could be\u00a0used to check the medicine\u2019s authenticity or genuineness<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/export\/sites\/CDSCO_WEB\/Pdf-documents\/Guidance-for-Identification-and-Verification-of-Spurious-Drugs-document.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">6<\/a><\/sup>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><em><strong>Also Read: <a href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/how-to-find-generic-medicine-a-complete-guide-to-finding-generic-drugs-safely\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">How to Find Generic Medicine: A Complete Guide to Finding Generic Drugs Safely<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion\"><\/span><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/generic-medicines-and-how-safe-are-they\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Generic medicines are a safe<\/a><\/strong> and affordable treatment\u00a0option\u00a0when they meet required quality standards. Understanding how medicines are regulated, checking the packaging,\u00a0batch\u00a0and expiry details, buying from trusted pharmacies, and knowing how to verify suspicious products can help\u00a0patients\u00a0make safer choices. When in doubt, seek advice from\u00a0your\u00a0pharmacist or doctor rather than relying on a medicine whose quality or authenticity is uncertain.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\"><\/span><strong>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1787898826052\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Are generic medicines safe in India?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes, generic medicines in India\u00a0are required to\u00a0meet the same quality\u00a0regulatory\u00a0standards as branded medicines. The Government of India states that\u00a0medications\u00a0manufactured in India, whether generic or branded, must\u00a0comply with\u00a0the quality standards prescribed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and Rules, 1945<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2242926%C2%AE=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">10<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1787899054152\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>How can I verify if\u00a0medicine\u00a0is genuine?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">You can verify whether a medicine is genuine by checking its\u00a0barcode or QR\u00a0code on the packaging and scanning it with a mobile phone. The information displayed after scanning can be used to check the medicine\u2019s authenticity or genuineness<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/export\/sites\/CDSCO_WEB\/Pdf-documents\/Guidance-for-Identification-and-Verification-of-Spurious-Drugs-document.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">6<\/a><\/sup>.\u00a0<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1787899064734\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>What is the difference between fake and generic medicine?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">A generic medicine\u00a0generally contains\u00a0the same active ingredient, dosage form, and route of administration as the corresponding branded medicine. A spurious medicine, in contrast, may be an imitation intended to deceive, be made under another drug\u2019s name, or falsely claim to come from a particular manufacturer<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1576624%C2%AE=48&amp;lang=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">11<\/a>,<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2239582%C2%AE=1&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">12<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1787899078800\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Can I trust online pharmacies?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes,\u00a0online\u00a0pharmacies can be used, but consumers should choose platforms that\u00a0operate\u00a0through licensed\u00a0or\u00a0registered pharmacies and follow prescription requirements where applicable. CDSCO\u2019s\u00a0e-pharmacy framework specifies that\u00a0e-pharmacy outlets must be registered and that medicines requiring a prescription must be supplied against a prescription from a registered medical practitioner<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/resources\/UploadCDSCOWeb\/2018\/UploadPublic_NoticesFiles\/public_notice16march_76.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">13<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1787899089684\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\"><strong>Who regulates medicine quality in India?<\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The CDSCO regulates medicines at the national level, while\u00a0state\u00a0drug\u00a0control\u00a0authorities regulate the manufacture, sale, and distribution of medicines within their respective states. CDSCO also sets drug standards, approves new drugs and clinical trials, checks imported medicines, and coordinates with\u00a0state\u00a0drug\u00a0control\u00a0authorities<sup><a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/opencms\/en\/About-us\/Functions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">2<\/a><\/sup>.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"References\"><\/span><strong>References<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>1. Generic Drug Facts.\u00a0<em>FDA<\/em>. Published online June 2, 2026. Accessed August 12, 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/generic-drugs\/generic-drug-facts\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/drugs\/generic-drugs\/generic-drug-facts<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>2. Functions\u00a0of CDSCO. Accessed August 12, 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/opencms\/en\/About-us\/Functions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/opencms\/en\/About-us\/Functions\/\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>3. Selection of Software Services Provider (SSP) for Digital Transformation of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, IPC &amp; NIB. Accessed August 12, 2026.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/export\/sites\/CDSCO_WEB\/Pdf-documents\/EoI_DDRS_CDSCO_2ndnov23.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/export\/sites\/CDSCO_WEB\/Pdf-documents\/EoI_DDRS_CDSCO_2ndnov23.pdf\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>4. Buckley GJ, Gostin LO, Committee on Understanding the Global Public Health Implications of Substandard F, Health B on G, Medicine I of. Causes of Falsified and Substandard Drugs. In:\u00a0<em>Countering the Problem of Falsified and Substandard Drugs<\/em>. National Academies Press (US); 2013. Accessed August 12, 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK202531\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/books\/NBK202531\/\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>5. Substandard and falsified medical products: Advice to patients and consumers. Accessed August 12, 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/questions-and-answers\/item\/substandard-and-falsified-medical-products-advice-to-patients-and-consumers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/questions-and-answers\/item\/substandard-and-falsified-medical-products-advice-to-patients-and-consumers<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>6. Guidance-for-Identification-and-Verification-of-Spurious-Drugs-document.pdf. Accessed August 12, 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/export\/sites\/CDSCO_WEB\/Pdf-documents\/Guidance-for-Identification-and-Verification-of-Spurious-Drugs-document.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/export\/sites\/CDSCO_WEB\/Pdf-documents\/Guidance-for-Identification-and-Verification-of-Spurious-Drugs-document.pdf\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>7. JANAUSHADHI. Accessed August 12, 2026.<a href=\"https:\/\/janaushadhi.gov.in\/about-pmbjb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"> https:\/\/janaushadhi.gov.in\/about-pmbjb<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>8. Prescription Guidelines Booklet. Accessed August 12, 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/dfda.goa.gov.in\/images\/uploads\/prescription_guidelines_booklet_for_doctors_pharmacists.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">https:\/\/dfda.goa.gov.in\/images\/uploads\/prescription_guidelines_booklet_for_doctors_pharmacists.pdf\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>9. T&amp;C \u2013 India\u2019s most trusted online medicine ordering platform. Accessed August 12, 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/legal\/terms-and-conditions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/legal\/terms-and-conditions<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>10. Variations in Generic Medicines. Accessed August 12, 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2242926&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2242926&amp;reg=3&amp;lang=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>11. Generic Medicines. Accessed August 12, 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1576624&amp;reg=48&amp;lang=2\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1576624&amp;reg=48&amp;lang=2<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>12. Sale of Spurious Drugs. Accessed August 12, 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2239582&amp;reg=1&amp;lang=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">https:\/\/www.pib.gov.in\/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2239582&amp;reg=1&amp;lang=1<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>13. Public\u00a0Notice: Public consultation\u00a0regarding\u00a0regulation of sale of drugs in the country. Accessed August 12, 2026. <a href=\"https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/resources\/UploadCDSCOWeb\/2018\/UploadPublic_NoticesFiles\/public_notice16march_76.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">https:\/\/cdsco.gov.in\/opencms\/resources\/UploadCDSCOWeb\/2018\/UploadPublic_NoticesFiles\/public_notice16march_76.pdf\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><em>Disclaimer<\/em><\/strong><em>: The information provided here is for educational\/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or\u00a0implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Links and product recommendations in the information<\/em>\u00a0<em>provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products\/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n<div class=\"pld-like-dislike-wrap pld-custom\">\r\n    <div class=\"pld-like-wrap  pld-common-wrap\">\r\n    <a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"pld-like-trigger pld-like-dislike-trigger  \" title=\"Likes\" data-post-id=\"287470\" data-trigger-type=\"like\" data-restriction=\"cookie\" data-already-liked=\"0\">\r\n                            <img src=\"https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/12132143\/like.png\" alt=\"Likes\" \/>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n    <span class=\"pld-like-count-wrap pld-count-wrap\">    <\/span>\r\n<\/div><div class=\"pld-dislike-wrap  pld-common-wrap\">\r\n    <a href=\"javascript:void(0)\" class=\"pld-dislike-trigger pld-like-dislike-trigger  \" title=\"Dislikes\" data-post-id=\"287470\" data-trigger-type=\"dislike\" data-restriction=\"cookie\" data-already-liked=\"0\">\r\n                            <img src=\"https:\/\/blog-images-1.pharmeasy.in\/blog\/production\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/12132208\/dislike.png\" alt=\"Dislikes\" \/>\r\n            <\/a>\r\n    <span class=\"pld-dislike-count-wrap pld-count-wrap\"><\/span>\r\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Introduction Fake or substandard medicines\u00a0can seriously affect\u00a0patient safety. They may not treat the illness properly, may cause unexpected side\u00a0effects, and\u00a0may delay\u00a0recovery. They can also\u00a0reduce\u00a0public trust in generic medicines,\u00a0even though approved generic medicines are expected to meet required\u00a0quality standards. Knowing how medicines are checked and how to look\u00a0for\u00a0warning signs can help patients choose\u00a0medicines\u00a0more safely.\u00a0 This\u00a0article explains [\u2026]","protected":false},"author":203,"featured_media":287485,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_wp_rev_ctl_limit":""},"categories":[10684],"tags":[14815,14814,14816],"acf":[],"_embedded":{"wp:featuredmedia":[{"source_url":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/generic-medicine-quality-1.webp"}]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/287470"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/203"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=287470"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/287470\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":287505,"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/287470\/revisions\/287505"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/287485"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=287470"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=287470"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pharmeasy.in\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=287470"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}