The ban, which includes various antibiotics, painkillers, multivitamins, and medications for fever and hypertension, was implemented on August 12. However, chemists say that doctors, especially in remote areas, might not be aware of this ban and continue to prescribe these prohibited drugs.
Jagannath Shinde, the President of the All-India Organisation of Chemists and Druggists (AIOCD), raised concerns, saying, “Many doctors likely don’t know that these drugs are banned and shouldn’t be prescribed.” He pointed out the difficulties chemists face in identifying these banned drugs since they are often known by their brand names instead of their generic names. “We have contacted the government and over 20,000 drug companies, asking for a complete list of brand names for these banned combinations. Without this information, it’s tough for chemists to recognize and remove the banned drugs from the market,” Shinde added, stressing that manufacturers should also share this info with doctors.
Shinde stated that the AIOCD has directed its members to take the banned drugs off their shelves. “In order to effectively cover every area, including rural regions, we have asked the government for at least 120 days. Having the brand names included in the ban notice would significantly aid this process,” he added.
Anil Navandar, Secretary of the Maharashtra State Druggist and Chemist Association, stressed the importance of the government ensuring that general practitioners, particularly those in remote locations, are informed about the ban. He mentioned that many small pharmacies may still be unaware of the recently prohibited combinations.
Similarly, Anil Belkar, Secretary of the Pune District Chemists’ Association, highlighted the complexity of the issue, saying, “For each banned drug combination, there are often several brand names. It is essential that all doctors are informed of these updates.”
On the government’s part, S.V. Pratapwar, Assistant Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), confirmed that medical store associations were notified about the ban, and the notification from August 12 was shared with the Indian Medical Association. He mentioned that some manufacturers have issued circulars instructing shops to return the banned stock.
However, Pratapwar pointed out the challenge of communicating all brand names to chemists, as drug approvals usually rely on generic names. “Each company has its own labeling, and manufacturers work in various states, which makes it difficult to provide a complete list of brand names,” he explained.