Health Ministry bans over-the-counter sale of 14 steroid creams

The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has banned over-the-counter sale of 14 steroid creams to prevent indiscriminate sale of ointments containing steroids and antibiotics without prescription. These 14 preparations were included under Schedule H of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 to impose the ban.

Key Facts

The decision was taken following consultation with Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), which had recommended ban on sale of such creams without prescription. It also had submitted their recommendations to Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO).
The move comes after dermatologists complained that pharmaceutical companies were selling steroid-based creams to patients, who use them without medical guidance. Some banned ointments are beclomethasone, desonide, alclometasone and fluocinonide among others.

Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB)

DTAB is highest statutory decision-making body on technical matters related to drugs in the country . It is constituted as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. It is part of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

Schedule H Drugs

Schedule H is a class of prescription drugs listed under Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 which governs manufacture and sale of all drugs in India. These are drugs cannot be purchased over counter without prescription of qualified doctor.  It is revised time to time on advice of DTAB,

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2018