Centre asked to check misuse of banned Diclofenac

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has asked the union health and family welfare ministry to set up a committee to monitor the misuse of banned Diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug, in animal in India.

Acting on a complaint by Odisha-based human rights activist Akhand, the NHRC also asked the ministry to direct all state governments to take steps for strict implementation of the directions of the Centre in this regard.

Taking up the issue of May 2014, the NHRC has directed the health and family welfare secretary to submit the ministry's response over the misuse of Dicolfenac - a banned livestock pain killer and a killer of vultures in the country.

The rights activist has alleged that though Diclofenac was banned for animal use, it was readily available with the chemists and private drug stores because it can be used to treat humans too.

The normal dose of the drug in animals is about 11 ml for three or four days while the human dose is only 3 ml per dose, said the petitioner.

Mass killing of vultures creates environmental imbalance that affects human life.

As carcasses once eaten by vultures now rot in village fields, drinking water has become seriously contaminated and endangers human life. It was a major human rights violation, said Akhand.

The central government has already banned the formulation, manufacture and import of veterinary Diclofenac in 2008.