India Bans 156 Common Drugs Including Painkillers and Antibiotics

The Indian government has banned 156 commonly used drugs, including painkillers and antibiotics. The decision, endorsed by the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, aims to safeguard public health. The banned drugs, identified as Fixed Dose Combinations, were deemed irrational and potentially harmful by experts.

The Government of India has placed a ban on 156 commonly used drugs, including painkillers, multivitamins, and antibiotics. An official comment from the Union Health Ministry is still awaited.

The Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) has supported the government’s decision. Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General of the IPA, informed ANI, 'This issue has been under review for many years by committees like the Kokate Committee and the Nilima Kshirsagar Committee. The decision is in the best interest of patients.' Jain added that pharmaceutical companies have the chance to submit data supporting their products; those with adequate data can continue while others will have to withdraw.

The banned drugs list also covers medications for hair treatments, antiparasitic uses, skincare, and anti-allergic purposes. These Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) drugs combine multiple drugs in a single pill. As per a Gazette notification, an Expert Committee reviewed these FDCs and found them to be irrational. The Drugs Technical Advisory Board also recommended the ban, stating there is no therapeutic justification and that they pose risks to human health.

The notification emphasized that in the larger public interest, it is necessary to prohibit the manufacture, sale, or distribution of these FDCs under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The government is convinced of the necessity to ban these drugs immediately. Among the banned combinations is the FDC of Amylase + Protease + Glucoamylase + Pectinase + Alpha Galactosidase + Lactase + Beta-Gluconase + Cellulase + Lipase + Bromelain + Xylanase + Hemicellulase + Malt diastase + Invertase + Papain.

(ANI)