Around 344 fixed-dose combination drugs to be banned soon in Chennai
Posted on: 07/Aug/2018 9:45:15 AM
The news that Supreme Court would be banning around 344 fixed-dose combination drugs that include cough syrups, pain killers, and flu medicines has been the subject of discussion for many. The flu medicines that would be banned are Phensedyl, Saridon, Vicks Action 500, Dart, Corex, D’Cold Total etc.
As per the officials it is clear that in the coming week final notification regarding this would be received by the officials at the state chemists and druggists association. It must be noted that in the year 2016, regulation and ban of fixed dose combination was raised, The High Court ordered a ban on these. For the sake of relief, pharma companies approached the apex court is known. The issue was reviewed by the drug advisory body and recommended ban of medications. Soon SC would impose ban of sale, manufacturing and distribution of these drugs. Drug Technical Advisory Board had recommended many over-the-counter-drugs to be banned.
It is now revealed that the 344 combination of drugs included paracetamol, phenylephrine and caffeine, chlorpheniramine maleate, codeine syrup etc. There would be huge impact on the medical hub and markets because paracetamol, propyphenazone and caffeine might have more than 5000 products. It is important to mention that fixed dose combination drugs are combination of 2 or more drugs in a single dosage form. FDC are unsafe and irrational they are likely to be banned and this was confirmed by the apex body.
A combination drug is a product composed of any combination of drug and a device, biological product and a device, drug and biological product, drug, device and a biological product. This is according to Food and Drug Administration. Without possessing the supra-additive toxicity of the ingredients, the rational drugs in combination should act by specific mechanisms. This was as per the by pharmacologists.
Pharmocologist Dr. Sharmila Anand spoke about how the toxicity of the ingredients was alleged to be unsafe for human intake in case of FDCs. She then highlighted the fact that single formulations were safe for consumption but consumption of FDCs would result in damage to other parts. She also cited examples and said drugs that were used to treat TB resulted in kidney as well as liver damage.
The state authorities have already been informed about the ban and the implementation of the ban would be made soon. The present issue is about the disposing of current medicine stocks and this was confirmed by the members of the TN Chemist’s and Druggist’s Association.
Mr. Ramachandran, president of the TN Chemist’s and Druggist’s Association, later spoke his heart out on this ban. He spoke about how it would be difficult if the ban of the drugs was brought immediately because there would be some 6000 to 7000 products of the mentioned 344 combinations. He said that notice time to either sell the drugs for the specific time period or sort them and return back to the manufacturers would be superb. A time period of 2 months is needed to sell the current stocks and one month to return it back to the manufacturers.
