States told to keep strict vigil on drugs used in animal rearing

India's drug regulator has asked the state authorities to keep a strict vigil on the manufacture, sale, and distribution of all formulations containing chloramphenicol or the nitrofurans class of antibiotics used in food-producing animal rearing system and take action against those found guilty. Last month, the ministry of health and family welfare had banned the use of these drug formulations due to potential risks in food-producing animal rearing.

The regulator has asked the authorities to share the details of any action taken with its office. "You are requested to sensitise your inspectorate staff to keep strict vigil on manufacture, sale and distribution of chloramphenicol and its formulations , nitrofuran and its formulations to prevent their use in any food producing animal rearing system and to take necessary action under the provisions of the D&C Act & Rules," said the letter dated April 2.

In a gazette notification dated March 13, the ministry had earlier announced the prohibition, following consultations with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, India's top drug advisory body.


The health ministry in the notification had deemed it necessary and expedient in the public interest. The ministry had said it was satisfied that the use of drug formulations containing chloramphenicol or nitrofurans is likely to pose risks in food-producing animal rearing.

It was also observed that several safer alternatives to these drugs were available in the market.

The ban followed representations highlighting the misuse of these drugs in poultry and other animal feed supplements.