Drugs banned in other countries, still prevailing in India, a vital matter of concern—A narrative review

Abstract

Drugs and their formulations are mainly used in the prevention and treatment of disease or disorders; out of such drugs, only some are considered to be essential and life-saving, whereas others remain substitutes for each other. When some serious adverse effect is faced by a general population on the consumption of the particular drug, the adverse side effects are monitored through pharmacovigilance; when the hazard overshadows the benefit, then the drug is proposed for a ban in the country. Some drugs potentiate the adverse effect only when it is in combination with another drug, which is considered to be irrational; in such situations, the Fixed Dose Combinations FDC is banned but not the single drug. Banned drugs are still available in India, and this might be due to the lack of awareness and knowledge among clinicians and the persistence of loopholes in Indian laws governing the approval and manufacture of drugs. The government needs to enforce laws and increase drug information centers and ensure their proper functioning, from where the update on each drug will be provided to doctors and the general population.