Health Ministry bans three drugs

The Union Health Ministry has banned the manufacture, sale and distribution of painkiller Analgin, anti-diabetes drug Pioglitazone and anti-depressant drug Deanxit in the country.
The ban was imposed keeping in view the health risks associated with these drugs after reports of side-effects on their use. These drugs have already been banned and their use discontinued in many parts of the world.
Exercising its powers under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, the Centre suspended the manufacture for sale, sale, distribution with immediate effect of Analgin and all formulations containing the drug for human use.
Analgin is sold under various trade names in India. The USFDA had withdrawn the drug from its market in 1970s due to its side-effects.

The Health Ministry also suspended the manufacture, sale and distribution of Pioglitazone and all formulations containing it.
Pioglitazone is banned in France as its use is said to cause urinary bladder cancer, but sold in the US and Europe with a warning.

The Ministry has also banned Deanxit -- the drug combination of Flupenthixole and Melitracen.
Banned in Denmark, its country of origin, Deanxit was being sold in India. Its manufacturers were given six months time by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) to establish safety and effectiveness for sale in the country.
Under the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules, a drug cannot be marketed in India unless it is approved in its country of origin.

Some domestic generic drug manufacturers have protested against the Ministry's move, saying that it would force patients to buy expensive drugs from the market.
The ban comes as part of the streamlining process of the Indian drug regulator - the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The Health Ministry has asked suspension of all globally banned drugs in the Indian market.
A Parliamentary panel has already given its recommendations in this regard.