The government has banned the manufacture, sale and distribution of 16 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs for human use with immediate effect. 

 

The move follows a Supreme Court-directed review by an expert committee set up by the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, which found the drug combinations lacked therapeutic justification and could pose health risks. The banned products include certain dermatological, pain-relief, antispasmodic and antibiotic-based medicines.

 

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said the action aims to ensure only safe, effective and scientifically validated medicines remain available. State drug regulators and enforcement agencies have been directed to strictly implement the ban.