344 fixed dose combination drugs banned in March: Govt

The government has banned 344 fixed dose combination drugs in March this year as they lacked therapeutic "rationality and justification", Rajya Sabha was informed today.
"The Central government has banned 344 fixed dose combinations on March 10 this year as these combinations lacked therapeutic rationality or justification," Health Minister J P Nadda said in a written reply.
He said safety and efficacy issues relating to certain drugs which have been banned in some countries have been examined and some of these have been allowed for continued marketing with stipulated restrictions.
These drugs include 'Nimesulide' whose manufacture, sale and distribution for human use in children below 12 years of age has been prohibited in the country.

The other drug is 'Analgin' whose manufacture for sale, sale and distribution for human use was initially suspended in the country on June 18, 2013 but subsequently Drug Testing Advisory Board (DTAB) examined the issue and the ban was revoked.
However, it was subject to the condition that manufacturers will be required to mention on the package that the drug is indicated for severe pain and pain due to tumour and also for bringing down temperature in refractory cases when other antipyretics fail to do so, Nadda said.

Elaborating about the third drug 'Pioglitazone', the minister said the manufacture for sale, sale and distribution of this drug for human use was also initially suspended on June 18, 2013.

"Subsequently, DTAB, after examination, recommended revocation of the suspension on certain conditions and accordingly, the suspension was revoked subject to the condition that the manufacturer shall mention on the package that the drug should not be used as first line of therapy for diabetes.
The manufacturers also needed to mention 'Advice for healthcare professionals' on their package which includes patients with active bladder cancer or with a history of bladder cancer, and those with uninvestigated haematuria, should not receive pioglitazone while prescribers should review the safety and efficacy of pioglitazone in individuals after 3-6 months of treatment.