Pune: General Practitioners Unaware of Recent Ban, Continue Prescribing Prohibited Medications, Say Chemists

Pune, 29th August 2024: Despite a recent government ban on 156 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs, many general practitioners are still prescribing these medications, according to local chemists’ associations. The government banned these FDCs, which include various antibiotics, painkillers, multivitamins, and drugs for fever and hypertension, on August 12. However, chemists claim that doctors, particularly in remote areas, may not be aware of the ban and continue to prescribe the prohibited drugs.

Jagannath Shinde, President of the All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), expressed concern, stating, “Many doctors are likely unaware that these drugs have been banned and should not be prescribed.” He highlighted the challenges faced by chemists in identifying the banned drugs, as they are often recognized by their brand names rather than their generic compositions. “We have reached out to the government and over 20,000 drug companies, requesting a comprehensive list of brand names for these banned combinations. Without this information, it is difficult for chemists to identify and withdraw the banned drugs from the market,” Shinde explained, adding that manufacturers should also provide this information to doctors.

Shinde mentioned that the AIOCD has instructed its members to remove the banned medications from their shelves. “To effectively reach every corner, including rural areas, we have requested the government to give us at least 120 days. The inclusion of brand names in the ban notice would greatly assist in this effort,” he added.

Anil Navandar, Secretary of the Maharashtra State Druggist and Chemist Association, emphasized the need for the government to ensure that general practitioners, especially those in remote areas, receive the notification regarding the ban. He noted that many small medical shops might still be unaware of the recently banned combinations.

Similarly, Anil Belkar, Secretary of the Pune District Chemists’ Association, pointed out the complexity of the situation, stating, “For each banned drug combination, there are often multiple brand names. It is crucial that all doctors are made aware of these changes.”

On the government’s side, S.V. Pratapwar, Assistant Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), acknowledged that medical store associations had been informed about the ban, and the August 12 notification was shared with the Indian Medical Association. “Some manufacturers have also issued circulars to inform shops to return the banned stock,” he said.

Pratapwar, however, noted the difficulty in communicating all brand names to chemists, as drug approvals are generally based on generic names. “Each company has its own labeling, and manufacturers operate across different states, making it challenging to provide a complete list of brand names,” he explained.