Question : Sale of Banned Drugs

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government proposes to ban retail/on the counter sale of certain drugs including Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in the country, if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(b) whether certain instances of manufacturing and marketing of aforementioned drugs/injections including oxytocin have been reported in the country;

(c) if so, the details thereof indicating the number of such cases reported and the action taken by the Government against the offenders during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(d) whether certain cases of marketing of drugs banned for import, manufacturing and sale in the country have also come to the notice of the Government; and

(e) if so, the details thereof along with the action taken/proposed to be taken by the Government thereon?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI JAGAT PRAKASH NADDA)

(a): The Government has restricted manufacture of a Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, namely, Diclofenac injections for human use in single dose pack to prevent the misuse of multi-dose pack of this drug in animals. Manufacture and sale of Diclofenac formulation for animal use is already prohibited in the country.

(b) & (c): The Government has not received any report regarding manufacture and sale of Diclofenac formulation for veterinary use. As regards the Oxytocin, the manufacture and sale of the drug is not prohibited in the country. However, the drug is permitted to be manufactured and sold in single unit blister pack only. The Oxytocin formulation for veterinary use is required to be soldonly to the veterinary hospitals.

(d) & (e): In the recent past, the Government has not received any report about the sale of banned drugs.