The Indian government has banned 156 drug combinations, including popular medications like Paracetamol and Cetirizine.
Alongside this ban, an additional 34 multivitamins are currently under review.
The ban follows a thorough evaluation by an expert committee appointed by the Central Government, which deemed these Fixed-Dose Combinations (FDCs) irrational.
The Drugs Technical Advisory Board also reviewed these FDCs and concluded that they lack therapeutic justification and may pose risks to human health.
As a result, the manufacture, sale, or distribution of these drugs has been prohibited under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
The Health Ministry has banned several fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs due to safety concerns. Among them, the combination of Aceclofenac 50mg and Paracetamol 125mg tablets, as well as Mefenamic Acid and Paracetamol Injection, have been prohibited.
Additionally, FDCs that include Cetirizine HCl, Paracetamol, and Phenylephrine HCl, as well as Levocetirizine, Phenylephrine HCl, and Paracetamol, are now banned.
The mixture of Paracetamol, Chlorpheniramine Maleate, and Phenylpropanolamine, along with the combination of Camylofin Dihydrochloride 25 mg and Paracetamol 300 mg, has also been outlawed.
Lastly, the government has prohibited the use of a combination involving Paracetamol, Tramadol, Taurine, and Caffeine..
These combinations were identified as potentially harmful, with risks including severe side effects like organ damage, cardiovascular issues, and allergic reactions.
The review of the 34 multivitamins is ongoing, with further decisions expected based on their safety and efficacy profiles. This latest action underscores the government’s commitment to ensuring that drug treatments in India remain safe and effective.