Thrissur: Central government bans 156 drug compounds with significant sales including in Kerala. Apart from antibiotics, pain relievers and multivitamins, these are medicines for many ailments such as infections, fungal infections, fever and related problems, and stomach problems.
Compounds are combinations of more than one drug. 25 or so are recognized worldwide. There are over a thousand compounds in the Indian market. The ban is now based on the recommendations of the expert committee recommended by the Supreme Court. Around 350 medicines were banned in this way at various stages. In addition to this, 156 more are coming.
The new list is dominated by multivitamin drugs. The committee has assessed that many of the banned drugs can harm the kidneys. The ban came into effect from August 12, when the notification was issued. 50 mg of acyclofenac and 125 mg of paracetamol in liquid and tablet form are prohibited for use in children.
