The Union health ministry has banned three drugs including popular pain-killer analgin on the grounds of patients’ safety.

According to separate notifications by the Ministry, analgin, pioglitazone,  combination of flupenthixol + melitracen have been banned with immediate effect. The ban on analgin and the FDC (deanxit) has been expected for some time now since most other countries and the country of origin had already discarded them. However,  the action on anti-diabetic drug pioglitazone came as surprise to many.

“Whereas the Central Government is satisfied that the use of the drug analgin and all formulations containing analgin is likely to involve risk to human beings and whereas safer alternatives to the said drug are available. And whereas the Central Government is satisfied that it is necessary and expedient to  regulate by way of suspension of manufacture for sale, sale and distribution of the drug in the  country in public interest,’’ said the notification.

“Now therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 1940), the Central Government hereby suspends the manufacture for sale, sale and distribution of analgin and all formulations containing analgin for human use,”  it said.

Similar notifications, dated June 18, were also issued by the Ministry to ban pioglitazone and all formulations containing pioglitazone  and the fixed dose combination of flupenthixol + melitracen (which is sold as deanxit).

Since analgin and the FDC were banned in many countries, there has been a demand for their ban for a long time now. The Parliamentary Panel which scrutinized the functioning of the CDSCO had also recommended immediate action on these drugs.