Government bans Saridon and 327 other drugs

The Ministry of Health on Wednesday banned the manufacture for sale or distribution of 328 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs, including painkiller Saridon with immediate effect, stating that there is no therapeutic justification for the ingredients. FDCs are two or more drugs combined in a fixed ratio into a single dosage form.

The government said, “The Drugs Technical Advisory Board recommended, amongst other things, that there is no therapeutic justification for the ingredients contained in 328 FDCs and that these FDCs may involve risk to human beings. The board recommended that it is necessary to prohibit the manufacture, sale or distribution of these FDCs under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, in the larger public interest.”Besides, it has also restricted the manufacture, sale or distribution of six other FDCs which include popular cough syrups, painkillers and cold medication subject to certain conditions, the official statement said. The sale of the six FDCs amount to over Rs 740 crore annually