Government may move Supreme Court to club all FDC drugs ban cases

NEW DELHI: Government today said it may move the Supreme Court asking it to club all cases related to its ban on 344 fixed dose combination drugs pending in various courts.

Responding to a supplementary in the Lok Sabha on whether the Centre would move the apex court requesting it to club all cases opposing the ban together, Health Minister J P Nadda said it was a "good sugestion."

Nadda also admitted that the situation was a result of lack of coordination between various state licencing authorities and the Drugs Controller General of India.

The Delhi High Court alone was hearing 180 pleas challenging the government's decision to ban 344 fixed dose combinations.

The Union Health Ministry in March had banned 344 fixed dose combination drugs, including cough syrup compositions, saying they involve "risk" to humans and safer alternatives were available.

"On the basis of recommendations of the said expert committee, the central government is satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in public interest to regulate by way of prohibition of manufacture for sale, sale and distribution for human use of the said drugs in the country," the notification said.

Fixed dose combination drugs are combinations of two or more active drugs in a single dose form.

Nadda said some fixed drug combinations are necessary in treatment of malaria and diabetes.