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Our Bureau

New Delhi , Feb. 17

THE Union Health Minister, Dr A. Ramadoss, on Friday said that the Government could delist internationally banned drugs such as Nimulid, if the expert committee found that the usage of such medicines is detrimental to people's health.

Replying to a question in the Rajya Sabha on the availability of certain drugs such as Nimulid, Novalgin, Ciza Syspride, Droperol, Furozone, Lomofen, Nise, Furacin, Agarol, D'cold, Vicks Action 500, Sioril, Piperazine and Enteroquinol, that have been discarded globally said, "We have formed a committee of experts which was studying the effects of the drug and if it was found that its use was to the detriment of people's health, the Government will delist it."

A furore was created after Dr Ramadoss quoting experts said that Indians could metabolise certain drugs easily, while the white-skinned people could not. This was strongly disputed by the CPI(M) Member, Ms Brinda Karat, who accused the Minister of coming up with a new "racial theory of drugs" and allowing the country to become a dumping ground for drugs manufactured by multinationals.

Earlier, Dr Ramadoss said that there was no system of global banning or discarding of drugs. Certain formulations or drugs could be withdrawn or banned in one or a few countries, but may continue to be marketed in other countries.

He added that there is an adequate mechanism in the country to review the status of drug formulations as and when any serious adverse event is reported.

A committee of experts assesses such drugs based on available technical information, benefit-risk ratio and local needs.

The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), a statutory body under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 then examines the issue.

Dr Ramadoss said that so far 76 categories of drugs, considered harmful in the context of present knowledge, had been banned in the country.

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