The popular anti-diabetes drug Pioglitazone would soon be available in the market as the Union Health Ministry has decided to revoke the ban on its sale and manufacture with some riders.
The drug, used by lakhs of diabetes patients in the country, would be sold with a warning and would not be used as the first line of treatment.
The drug was banned by the Ministry on June 18.
A notification lifting the ban will be issued soon, official sources told PTI.
Drug makers would also have to put insertions inside the packaging along with a warning outside giving the harmful effects of the drug. The Ministry will also ask medical practitioners not to use the drug on aged patients and that it be used in case they feel it is necessary, they said.
The drug is feared to cause cancer of the bladder though medical studies to confirm this are not available.
The Ministry decided to revoke the ban after recommendations from the Drug Technical Advisory Board .
The relook on the ban came after the government went on the backfoot following criticism from pharma industry and medical fraternity for the "hasty" decision bypassing the Board.
The drug was being used by lakhs of people in India and was much cheaper than its alternatives.
The Ministry had imposed a ban on the drug, suspending manufacture, sale and distribution of Pioglitazone and all formulations containing it.
