The Central Drug Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) conducted raids at various locations in Bihar today in a crackdown on illegal manufacturing and import of oxytocin widely misused in dairy and horticulture industries.
The raids were carried out by a team led by Sudhir Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Dr S Eswara Reddy, Drugs Controller General at 35 manufacturing units in Bihar.
Two teams of seven officials from CDSCO along with the State Drugs control officers conducted the raids.
As part of its efforts to check the misuse of oxytocin by dairy operators and some farmers, the Ministry of Health has restricted its manufacture for domestic use to public sector only.
The government has also banned the import of oxytocin and its formulations, besides bringing in some more regulations on the manufacture and sale of the controversial hormone.
Oxytocin is a naturally-occurring hormone that causes uterine contractions during labour and helps new mothers lactate.