Govt bans 156 combination medicines: The government has banned 156 fixed dose combination (FDC) medicines that harm your health. These medicines include antibiotics, anti-allergics, fever, high blood pressure, pain relievers and multivitamins. The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued a notification completely banning the manufacture, sale and distribution of these medicines. The ministry has taken this decision after the recommendations of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) and the expert committee constituted by the central government.

There is no justification for the chemical added to the medicine
An expert committee appointed by the central government and DTAB examined these medicines. The investigation revealed that there is no medical justification for the chemical added to these medicines. Mefenamic acid is also included in the banned medicines. It is used to reduce pain and inflammation. At the same time, Omeprazole Magnesium and Dicyclomine HCL are used to treat stomach pain. Another FDC includes a combination of Ursodeoxycholic Acid and Metformin HCL. It is used to treat fatty liver in people with diabetes.

More harm than benefit
Povidone iodine, Metronidazole and Aloe supplements used to prevent skin infections have also been banned. The investigation said that there is a risk of harm to people from the use of these banned drugs. Whereas safe alternatives of these drugs are available in the market. The government did not find the claims of these drugs correct and decided that their use can cause more harm than benefit to the patients. The ministry said that it was necessary to ban the manufacture, sale or distribution of these drugs under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940.