Retail sale of Controversial Hormone Drug Oxytocin banned from 1st July, 2018

Come July 1, Oxytocin, a vital drug, and its formulations, used to stop bleeding during childbirth, will not be freely available for use by doctors.

The manufacture and sale of this drug has been banned for domestic use in the private sector by the government. Import of the drug has also been banned.

Retail or wholesale chemists will not be allowed to stock this drug in their shops in any form or name. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has zeroed in on Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals Ltd to manufacture the drug and supply it directly to registered private and public hospitals.

Used to stop bleeding during childbirth, it is allegedly being misused to make cows give more milk; KAPL to be sole supplier

The drug will be available on a demand basis from KAPL after placing an order with the company, a release from the Ministry stated.

“Oxytocin is a life-saving drug in those women who bleed during childbirth or undergo an abortion. There are alternatives like Misoprostol, but the government has restricted its use in private clinics, as they are worried about misuse of Misoprostol in sex-selective abortions,” said Duru Shah, a Mumbai-based doctor.

Not for sale

The Ministry in its statement noted that Oxytocin formulations meant for domestic consumption will be supplied by the manufacturer, i.e. KAPL, to registered hospitals and clinics in public and private sector directly. Oxytocin in any form or name will not be allowed to be sold through retail chemist.

Oxytocin is also used to increase the size of vegetables such as pumpkins, watermelons, eggplants, gourds, and cucumbers.

Previously the High Court of Himachal Pradesh and Shimla had in its judgment on March 15, 2016, titled ‘Court on its own motion’ versus State of Himachal Pradesh and others, observed that there is large-scale clandestine manufacture and sale of the drug Oxytocin leading to its misuse.

The High Courts had also observed that the feasibility of restricting the manufacture of Oxytocin only in public sector companies should be considered.

The matter was considered by the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, a statutory body constituted under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.