HC to pronounce verdict on Centre's ban on 344 FDC medicines today

The Delhi High Court is likely to pronounce its verdict on 454 petitions filed by drug and healthcare majors challenging the Centre's decision to ban 344 fixed dose combination (FDC) medicines today.

The drugs include brands like Corex cough syrup, Vicks Action 500 extra and D'Cold.

Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw on June 2 had reserved the order after hearing regular arguments of companies and some NGOs.

The court had on March 14 stayed the Centre's March 10 ban on 344 FDC drugs and this interim order was passed in each and every case filed before it thereafter.

During arguments, the drug companies had argued that the ban order was passed without considering clinical data and had termed as "absurd" the government's claim that it took the decision to ban FDCs on the ground that safer alternatives were available.

The government had banned over 300 FDC drugs on the ground that they involve "risk" to humans and safer alternatives were available.