India bans 156 combination drugs administered as painkillers, antibiotics

The Government of India has banned a total of 156 combined medications commonly used as antibiotics, pain relievers, and treatments for cold and fever, among other purposes.

According to a gazette notification issued on August 21, 2024, the government has declared the Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) drug, which includes Amylase, Protease, Glucoamylase, Pectinase, Alpha Galactosidase, Lactase, Beta-Gluconase, Cellulase, Lipase, Bromelain, Xylanase, Hemicellulase, Malt diastase, Invertase, and Papain, as potentially risky to humans while noting that safer alternatives are available.

FDC drugs, also referred to as cocktail drugs, combine more than one active pharmaceutical ingredient in a single dosage form.