Pharma industry says taking steps to check misuse of codeine drugs

Sales declining anyway and there is no need to ban because of alleged misuse, say experts

The fate of some marquee brands is uncertain as the government phases out codeine-based cough formulations and a handful of fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs. Some of these brands have been declining anyway, analysis shows.

Industry insiders say that pharma companies working with codeine-based cough formulations are implementing steps to prevent misuse. Codeine is a by-product of opium, which is processed in India under strict terms. In July, the government for the first time allowed a private company, Bajaj Healthcare, to process opium to extract alkaloids that are used to make painkillers, cough syrups, and even cancer drugs. Two