In a significant order, the Delhi high court set aside the Centre’s decision to ban 344 fixed dose combination (FDC) medicines. The FDC medicines include famous brands like Corex cough syrup, Vicks Action 500 extra and D’Cold on Thursday.
After hearing arguments of firms such as Pfizer, Glenmark, Procter and Gamble and Cipla, government and NGOs for over a time period of more than two months, the court had pronounced its order.
During arguments, the pharma companies had contended that the government has not implemented the powers under section 26A (power to prohibit manufacture of drugs and cosmetics in public interest) of Drugs and Cosmetics Act appropriately. They also argued that the prohibition order was passed without bearing in mind the clinical data.
While the company termed the banning order as ‘absurd,’ the government claimed that it took decision to ban FDCs so that the safer alternatives were available. The government had banned more than 300 FDC drugs saying they involve “risk” to humans.
“On the basis of recommendations of an 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 said drugs in the country,” said the government in its March 10 notification.
The government had also said there were no legitimate licences for making any of the banned FDCs.
