The Indian government is likely to ban the import of controversial growth drug Oxytocin in a bid to curb its misuse by dairy owners and farmers who use it to boost milk production and increase size of vegetables.
The government’s top drug advisory board—the Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB)—in a meeting on 12 February recommended various measures to check widespread misuse of the hormone boosting drug.
Oxytocin is a controversial hormonal injection that is used widely in the dairy industry, agriculture and horticulture. Authorities are also concerned that the misuse of this growth booster is reported among trafficked children, injected to accelerate puberty among girls.
“The members of DTAB agreed to prohibit the import of oxytocin and its formulations for human use as well as animal use under section 10 of the drugs and cosmetics act 1940,” according to the minutes of the DTAB meeting, reviewed by Mint.
Oxytocin is a uterine stimulant hormone, prescribed for the initiation of uterine contractions and induction of labour in women as well as stimulation of contractions during labour. It is also used to help abort the fetus in cases of incomplete abortion or miscarriage, and control bleeding after childbirth. It may be used for breast engorgement. In India it’s available in various brand names including oxytocin.
Studies in Karnataka have shown that Oxytocin is being misused to speed up deliveries for pregnant women in overcrowded government hospitals. The drug has been under scrutiny for long, with its retail sale by pharmacies already banned.
However, the drug cannot be banned for its beneficial medical use. It is used for induction and augmentation of labour, control post delivery bleeding.
“It is a very important drug, it’s used for induction and augmentation of labour and to prevent postpartum bleeding,” said Dr Mala Srivastava, senior consultant, department of gynaecology, Sir Ganga Ram hospital.
Considering its wide misuse and its harmful effects, the DTAB also in principle approved that barcoding systems be adopted by manufacturers of the drug, in order aid tracking.
“The members deliberated the matter and agreed in principle on the proposal to amend rule 96 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 to ensure that barcoding system is adopted for manufacture of Oxytocin formulations so as to ensure track and traceability of the product to avoid its misuse,” according to minutes of the meeting.