The Indian government has recently announced a ban on 156 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs, which includes 34 multivitamins, due to concerns over their safety and efficacy. This decision, communicated through a gazette notification by the Union health ministry, prohibits the manufacture, sale, and distribution of these products under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940. The ban is based on recommendations from an expert committee that found no therapeutic justification for the ingredients in the banned combinations.
Among the multivitamins listed, the government cited potential risks to human health as a primary reason for the prohibition. The health ministry emphasized that safer alternatives are available, making these combinations unnecessary and potentially harmful. The banned products include various multivitamin formulations that have been widely used in the market, raising concerns about consumer safety and the regulation of dietary supplements in India.
This move aligns with previous actions taken by the government, including a 2016 ban on 344 drug combinations following similar expert recommendations. The ongoing scrutiny of multivitamins and other dietary supplements highlights the need for stricter regulatory controls to ensure public health safety, especially given the increasing consumption of these products as part of daily health routines. The government aims to safeguard consumers from potentially harmful substances while promoting the use of validated and effective health supplements.
