Fixed-dose combination drugs (FDC) are drugs that combine multiple drugs in one pill, also called a “cocktail” drug. (Photo: Getty)
Although drugmakers remain silent, their lobby groups support the government's move to ban the drug cocktail. They believe this move is in the right direction and in the public interest
Cheston Cold, Cipla's best-selling brand, may be pulled from shelves after the central government this week announced a ban on the drug cocktail.
The central government has banned the use of 156 drug cocktails, also known as fixed-dose combinations (FDCs), many of which you may have at home. These banned products include products used for hair growth, skin care, pain relief, cold and flu medications, multivitamins, antiparasitic medications, anti-allergy medications, antibiotics and more.
Fixed-dose combination drugs (FDC) are drugs that combine multiple drugs in one pill, also called a “cocktail” drug.
The ban notice issued by the government lists the combination of “cetirizine + paracetamol + phenylephrine”, which is one of the popular combinations to treat the common cold and is used to relieve symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, pain and fever. .
Under this category, Cipla sells Cheston Cold and Alerid Cold. In the Mumbai-based drugmaker's 2022 investor presentation, the “Cheston Cold” brand was included in the list of “India's main consumer brands”. Glenrest Cold from Glenmark uses the same combination, with slightly adjusted dosages.
Another combination on the list is “aceclofenac (50 mg) + paracetamol (125 mg),” sold by multiple drug manufacturers in tablet and syrup form to reduce fever, body aches, and inflammation in infants and children . Intas Pharmaceuticals' Nimucet AF Suspension is a popular brand in this category.
news18 Attempts were made to contact all of these drug manufacturers via email and messages to find out which brands were affected and what next steps they might take, but received no response. This story will be updated if any pharmaceutical companies respond.
Drug companies stay silent, but their lobby groups support action
While drugmakers continue to assess the impact of the government's announcement on their products and revenues, their lobbying groups support the government's move to ban FDCs, calling it a step in the right direction and in the public interest.
Sudarshan Jain, general secretary of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), India's largest lobby group for domestic drugmakers, said, “Discussions on FDC have been ongoing for some time on the recommendations of the Kokate Committee and the Nilima Kshirsagar Committee.”
“This is the right step to take for the benefit of the patient, all aspects have been considered,” he told us news18 On Thursday, the list of banned FDCs was released.
IPA represents India's top pharmaceutical companies including Cipla, Alkem, Glenmark, Intas, Ipca, Lupin and Sun Pharma, among others.
Likewise, a lobby group of 100 generic drug manufacturers has requested Union Health Minister JP Nadda to allow the sale of already produced stocks of banned FDC and promised to stop further production.
According to an August 22 letter from the Indian Federation of Generic Pharmaceuticals (IFPG), the lobby group “fully understands and respects the government's concerns about public health and safety and we are committed to complying with the ban on further production of these FDCs.”
“However, as responsible stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry, we wish to humbly request permission to sell the produced stocks of these formulations currently in stock.”
IFPG Secretary General Gyanesh Jeswal raised concerns in the letter: “As these products are withdrawn from the market, there may be a temporary shortage of affordable alternatives, particularly in areas where these FDCs are widely used. May affect patient care.
According to the membership list on the association's website, a series of well-known pharmaceutical manufacturers, including Intas and Glenmark, are members of IFPG.
