The government has banned 156 widely sold fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs including antibacterial medicines used for fever, cold, allergies and pain
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FDC drugs which contain a combination of two or more active pharmaceutical ingredients in a fixed ratio are also referred to as "cocktail" drugs
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According to a gazette notification, the government has banned 'Aceclofenac 50mg Paracetamol 125mg tablet'
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The list also includes Mefenamic Acid Paracetamol Injection, Cetirizine HCl Paracetamol Phenylephrine HCl, Levocetirizine Phenylephrine HCl Paracetamol
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It also included Paracetamol Chlorpheniramine Maleate Phenyl Propanolamine and Camylofin Dihydrochloride 25 mg Paracetamol 300mg
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The Centre also banned the combination of Paracetamol, Tramadol, Taurine and Caffeine. Tramadol is an opioid-based pain killer
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It said that the matter was examined by an Expert Committee appointed by the Centre which considered these FDCs as "irrational"
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The list includes certain products which were already discontinued by many drug makers
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In June 2023, 14 FDCs which were part of those 344 drug combinations, were banned