Veg capsules: Expert panel against replacement of gelatin with cellulose

The panel has reportedly also nixed the proposal to label capsules with red and green dots to indicate their origin in the interest of the patients

Government's plan to replace animal parts-based gelatin capsules with cellulose-based ones has received a setback as an expert panel formed to look into the matter reported against the proposal. 

According to LiveMint, which has accessed the report, the panel has informed the health ministry that the replacement was not "recommended" at this time and asked the decision to be left entirely on manufacturers.“It is the prerogative of the manufacturer to use either of the capsules for encapsulation of the drugs depending on the technical as well as the regulatory requirements based on the nature of the drugs,” the daily quoted