New Restrictions on Combination Medicines to Ensure Patient Safety
The Union Health Ministry has recently prohibited the production and sale of 156 fixed-dose combination drugs, citing health risks associated with their use. As per the gazette notification issued under relevant sections of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, these so-called “cocktail” medications will no longer be available in the market.
Why have these combinations been banned? Experts state that many such drug combinations lack sufficient clinical research on their safety and efficacy when used together. Combining multiple active ingredients can potentially increase side effects or negatively impact the absorption of each component.
Some of the restricted combinations included painkillers mixed with antihistamines and fever relievers. While intended for convenience, experts argue there is no medical justification for combining drugs that treat different symptoms simultaneously. Safer alternatives focused on individual conditions are available after thorough testing.
In particular, the addition of antibiotics to combinations was a concern as it may contribute to growing antibiotic resistance worldwide. Taking medicines without understanding each ingredient's role could also lead to over or under-dosing of certain drugs.
Going forward, healthcare professionals will prescribe medications based on a patient's distinct signs and symptoms. Combining analgesic or antipyretic drugs arbitrarily with anti-allergics is considered irrational. The new prohibition aims to curb unnecessary consumption of multi-drug formulations and ensure treatment protocols are backed by rigorous research.
