Hey there, folks! Today we’re talking about the recent ban on 156 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs by the government, and how despite this ban, many doctors are still prescribing these medications. According to local chemists’ associations, the ban, which includes antibiotics, painkillers, multivitamins, and drugs for fever and hypertension, came into effect on August 12. However, it seems like some doctors, especially those in remote areas, may not be aware of the ban and are continuing to recommend these prohibited drugs.
Jagannath Shinde, President of the All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), expressed concern over this issue, stating that many doctors may not know about the ban and should not be prescribing these drugs. He mentioned that it’s challenging for chemists to identify the banned drugs since they are often known by their brand names rather than their generic compositions. The AIOCD has reached out to the government and drug companies for a comprehensive list of brand names to help with this process.
Anil Navandar, Secretary of the Maharashtra State Druggist and Chemist Association, highlighted the importance of ensuring that general practitioners, especially those in remote areas, are informed about the ban. He noted that some small medical shops might still be unaware of the banned combinations.
Anil Belkar, Secretary of the Pune District Chemists’ Association, also emphasized the complexity of the situation, mentioning that there are often multiple brand names for each banned drug combination. It’s crucial for all doctors to be made aware of these changes.
On the government’s side, S.V. Pratapwar, Assistant Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), acknowledged that the medical store associations and the Indian Medical Association have been informed about the ban. Some manufacturers have also issued circulars to inform shops to return the banned stock. However, communicating all brand names to chemists is a challenge due to the variety of labeling practices among manufacturers.
So, it looks like there’s still some work to be done to ensure that these banned FDC drugs are no longer being prescribed. Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story!
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