Imagine a bustling middle-class home in Kolkata, where an eight-year-old child, Rohan, is rushed to the doctor after days of fever. The physician prescribes a popular painkiller and fever reducer — Nimesulide — comforting the anxious parents that it’s “widely used, very safe.” Trusting the advice, they start the treatment. Within two days, Rohan’s energy drops sharply; by morning, he has jaundice and severe vomiting. At the hospital, his liver enzymes are off the charts, and a harried specialist confides: “Nimesulide is banned almost everywhere but still used here.” The truth emerges with distress — medicines banned in developed nations still find their way into Indian prescriptions. Rohan recovered, but the family’s trust in the system did not. Heartbreak and confusion turned into a mission: awareness. That’s what inspired NewsWebFit to dig deep.
Why Are Some Medicines Banned Globally Still Sold in India?
NewsWebFit reveals that several medicines — including
Nimesulide, Analgin, Deanxit, and Ranitidine — have been banned by drug
regulators worldwide because of strong safety concerns and life-threatening
side effects. These drugs, however, remain commonly available and recommended
in India.
Key Examples:
- Nimesulide: Banned
across EU, UK, USA, Japan (since 2002–2003) due to risk of acute liver
failure and deaths, especially in children. Still available in Indian
pharmacies and commonly prescribed for pain and fever.
- Analgin
(Metamizole): Banned since the 1970s–1980s in US, UK, Australia, and
elsewhere over fatal risk of agranulocytosis (dangerous drop in white
blood cells). India only briefly banned it in 2013, before re-allowing it
with warnings — but sale continues.
- Deanxit
(Flupenthixol + Melitracen): Banned in Denmark and much of Europe for
neurotoxicity and lack of evidence, yet previously a popular
antidepressant in India.
- Ranitidine: Withdrawn
in 2019–2020 globally (US, EU, Australia) for containing NDMA, a
cancer-causing impurity, still sold in India.
Documented proof: Drug bans are supported by official records from WHO, EU, US FDA, and government notifications, all referenced and reported in Indian newspapers and parliamentary debates.
Why Were These Medicines Banned Internationally?
These drugs were banned elsewhere mainly due to:
- Clinical
reports of serious, sometimes fatal, side effects (liver failure, blood
cancer, neurotoxicity).
- Public
health disasters, such as cases of death or severe injury in children, or
long-term harm from off-label use.
- Rigorous
adverse event monitoring and fast regulatory action.
- Scientific evidence: For instance, multiple deaths from Nimesulide-induced liver failure led to its ban after documented studies and EU medical panels warned of the risk.
India’s Regulatory Lags: Why Are These Drugs Still Used?
Despite global bans, NewsWebFit found these products remain
in circulation and are often prescribed for several reasons:
- Delayed
Regulatory Response: Indian authorities often act years after the
global community due to slow adverse event monitoring and fragmented
oversight.
- Conditional
Bans: Many times drugs are only partially banned (like Nimesulide for
children), not removed entirely.
- Commercial
Pressure: The pharmaceutical industry may influence delay in full
bans, prioritizing market share and affordability over safety.
- Physician
Habits: Old prescribing patterns continue; many practitioners use
what's always been taught, sometimes unaware of updated warnings.
- Cost
& Accessibility: Banned drugs are typically much cheaper than
safer alternatives, increasing demand among both doctors and patients.
- Weak Drug Monitoring: India currently lacks a strong system for tracking and acting swiftly against adverse drug reactions.
How Do Doctors & Pharmacies Still Recommend These Medicines?
Surveys by NewsWebFit show that patients commonly receive
prescriptions with these drugs because:
- Medical
education materials are often not up-to-date on bans and warnings.
- Pharmacies
do not always enforce up-to-date regulations, and some banned products
still appear on shelves.
- Some
doctors believe risks are “acceptable” if drugs are used short-term or in
small doses, despite global evidence against it.
- Annual government reviews rarely lead to decisive action.
Healthcare Proof: Authentic Documentation
NewsWebFit relies on:
- Indian
Parliament answers to public questions.
- Government
health department and CDSCO lists of banned drugs.
- Times
of India and The Economic Times exposés on continued sale.
- Medindia's detailed reporting on nimesulide toxicity and market practices.
What Should Be Done? NewsWebFit’s Action Steps
To protect public health, NewsWebFit recommends:
- Align
Indian Bans: India should match global bans and immediately suspend
the use of high-risk medicines.
- Improve
Drug Surveillance: National database for quick adverse event reports
and transparent investigation.
- Mandatory
Doctor Training: Medical associations must update practitioners on
international warnings.
- Pharmacy
Enforcement: Regular audits and strict penalties for selling banned
medicines.
- Public
Awareness: Clear labeling and mandatory information for consumers at
point of sale.
- Transparent
Government Action: CDSCO and Health Ministry must publish
plain-language guidance and announce all bans clearly with proof for
public trust.
Responsible authorities include:
- Central
Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO)
- Indian
Medical Association (IMA)
- Health
Ministry of India
- International agencies (WHO, US FDA, EU drug regulators)
A Call for Change
Stories like Rohan's are not isolated. NewsWebFit stands with every family and patient who deserve safer care. Banned drugs must not return to the shelf. Every voice matters: Share this article, talk to your doctor, check your prescriptions, and demand safe medicines. Together, we can transform India's pharmacy culture.
Conclusion
India must act now to protect millions of patients from
medicines already proven to be unsafe across the world. NewsWebFit urges all
stakeholders to learn from true stories, use authentic documentation, demand
stronger oversight, and always prioritize safety over price or convenience.
Disclaimer
This NewsWebFit article is for educational awareness, not a
replacement for professional medical advice. Please consult certified
healthcare providers before making any changes to your treatment plan or
medications.