Haryana Govt will not compromise in matters concerning public health: Arti Rao

Haryana Health Minister Arti Singh Rao stated that the manufacture, sale and distribution of all oral formulations for human use containing more than 100 mg of Nimesulide in immediate release dosage form had been banned with immediate effect in Haryana.

Ban on Nimesulide

Ban imposed in Haryana on oral formulations of Nimesulide containing more than 100 mg in immediate release dosage form.

Tribune News Service

“The primary objective of this decision is to protect people from potential adverse effects and to ensure that only safe and approved medicines are used in the state,” the minister said. She clearly stated that the government would not compromise in any manner when it comes to public health.

The Health Minister said this decision was taken entirely keeping in view the interest and safety of the people. “Medicines are meant to provide relief to patients, not to endanger their health. When scientific evidence points towards risks associated with a medicine and safer alternatives are available, it becomes the government’s duty to take firm decisions in public interest,” she said.

She further informed that the Health Department had issued strict instructions to drug manufacturers, wholesale and retail distributors, chemists, and medical stores to comply with this ban. “Regular inspections and monitoring mechanisms have also been put in place, and strict action will be taken against violators,” she said.

The Health Minister also appealed to doctors and healthcare professionals to prescribe safe alternative medicines strictly in accordance with prescribed medical guidelines and to provide correct information to patients.

Haryana Drugs Controller Lalit Kumar Goyal stated that giving priority to public health, the state had effectively implemented the notification issued by the Government of India, under which the manufacture, sale, and distribution of all oral formulations containing more than 100 mg of Nimesulide in immediate release dosage form was prohibited.

He said after an in-depth evaluation of the scientific evidence and consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), the Government of India concluded that oral medicines containing more than 100 mg of Nimesulide could pose risks to human health, while safer alternatives were available. In line with this, the Haryana Government had implemented the notification without any delay, he said.