Over 340 'irrational' drugs to go off shelves soon; many more under scanner

To hit Rs 20-bn market; 944 more fixed-dosage combination drugs under scanner

The Centre is one step closer to banning 343 “irrational” fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs that were potentially harmful to consumers. The market size of the banned drugs is estimated to be around Rs 20-22 billion and will impact the country’s top drugmakers.

Patient advocacy groups say more FDCs, worth Rs 200-250 billion, are under scanner. An FDC drug is one that contains two or more active ingredients in a fixed-dosage ratio.

In March 2016, the ministry of health and family welfare had implemented a ban on 349 FDCs based on recommendations of the Chandrakant Kokate committee that found these drug combinations to be irrational and posing health risks. In December, the Supreme Court referred the matter to the Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) for a fresh review after drugmakers challenged the ban.

The DTAB, in a meeting held in New Delhi on Wednesday, re-inforced the ban on 343 of the 349 drugs. It, however, felt restricted use could be allowed for six FDCs. The DTAB would forward its report to the health ministry in the next 7-10 days, said a top government official.

ALSO READ: Gujarat is at the number one spot for making quality drugs in India

These FDCs roughly contribute to 1.8 per cent of the overall domestic drug market. The FDC segment is clocking a slower growth rate (4.7 per cent in June) compared to the rest of the domestic drug market (8.6 per cent). They cover around 6,000 brands mainly from firms like Abbott Healthcare, Mankind Pharma, Wockhardt, Alkem, Lupin, Glenmark, Sun Pharma, Eris Lifesciences and Ipca, among others

Abbott, perhaps, would take the largest hit. It has an exposure of around Rs 5.45 billion in these FDCs. An Abbott spokesperson said the company was awaiting communication from DTAB on the matter. Abbott is followed by Macleods Pharma (Rs 2.95 billion) and Mankind Pharma (Rs 1.34 billion), according to market research firm AIOCD AWACS.

Anticipating the ban, the companies were bracing up. Pfizer, for instance, has changed the formulation for its popular cough syrup Corex and launched it as Corex T. (more)

No stay on demonetisation, SC says govt cannot have surgical strike against people

Without issuing any notice to the Centre or the RBI, the bench posted the matter for further hearing on Nov 25

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to stay the government's notification demonetising Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 currency notes but asked it to spell out the steps taken to minimise public inconvenience.

"We will not be granting any stay," a bench comprising Chief Justice TS Thakur and DY Chandrachud said.

The remarks were made after some advocates insisted on a stay.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for one of the petitioners, however, said he was not asking for a stay on the notification but seeking answers from the government about the steps taken to remove public inconvenience.

The bench asked Attorney General Mukul Rohatgi to file an affidavit about the measures already undertaken by the government and the Reserve Bank of India to minimise public inconvenience and also the steps likely to be undertaken in future.

Without issuing any notice to the Centre or the RBI, the bench posted the matter for further hearing on November 25.

During the hearing, the Chief Justice said the objective seems to be laudable "but there is some inconvenience also to the public at large".

The bench also said "You (Centre) can have surgical strike against black money but you cannot have surgical strike against people of the country."

At the outset, the Centre which had filed a caveat in the matter, sought dismissal of the petitions challenging demonetisation on several grounds including that they were "misconceived".

Rohatgi, appearing for the Centre, outlined the idea behind demonetisation and said large number of fake currency has been used to finance terrorism in various parts of the country including in Jammu and Kashmir and northeastern states.

He, however, agreed with the bench that some inconvenience to common citizens occurs as this kind of "surgical strike" is bound to have "some kind of collateral damage".Read more

Rahul Gandhi shouldn't have resorted to denunciation of RSS: SC

Rahul Gandhi shouldn't have resorted to denunciation of RSS: SC

The Supreme Court on Tuesday observed that Rahul Gandhi, who blamed RSS for assassination of Mahatma Gandhi, should not have resorted to "collective denunciation" of an organisation and will have to face trial in the defamation case against him if he does not express regret.

"We have held it may be historically correct but the fact or the statement has to meet the test of public good. You can't make collective denunciation," a bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and R F Nariman said.

The bench said that "freedom is not crippled or curbed. What is curbed is freedom of speech. What the writers, politicians, critics or antagonists say, you must have great magnitude to swallow."

The bench questioned the speech made by Rahul and wondered "why he made a speech quoting wrong historical fact".

The apex court said that they have applied their mind and Rahul Gandhi will have to face the trial in the case.

"What we have to see is the petitioner's allegations come under Section 499 (defamation) of IPC or not. Judgement is already there. You have to face trial, if you don't express regret," the bench said.

It also said "the purpose of law is not to convert people into litigants. Purpose of law is that people obey law. Peace and harmony should prevail rather than chaos."(more)

Banks ask Supreme Court to stop Vijay Mallya leaving India

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear a plea filed by a consortium of 17 PSU banks seeking a direction that industrialist Vijay Mallya be restrained from leaving India. The apex court will take up the matter on Wednesday. mybs.inRead More

Hit and run case: SC issues notice to Salman Khan

The Supreme court on Friday issued notice to film star Salman Khan on the Maharashtra government's petition challenging a Bombay High Court verdict acquitting him in a 2002 accident case.

Issuing notice returnable in six weeks, an apex court bench comprising Justice Jagjit Singh Khehar and Justice C Nagappan told Salman Khan that "it would be much, much better if he gets acquittal from this court as it will save him from all the repercussions".

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