Date:17/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/17/stories/2007121759760800.htm

Tamil Nadu

Report sought on Fixed Dose Combination tablets

Special Correspondent

SALEM: The Union Health Ministry has sought a report from the States on the availability of Fixed Dose Combination tablets, which have not been approved by its Drug Control Section for their irrational combinations.

It has so far banned 294 such combinations and is about to ban more, Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said on Sunday.

Responding to the allegations that irrational Fixed Dose Combination tablets were being sold in many States, including Tamil Nadu, he said the Ministry, in coordination with the Ministry of Chemical and Fertilizers, was monitoring the situation closely.

(These combinations are mainly Paracetamol and pain killers).

Calls for study

Dr. Anbumani called for a study to “analyse the combinations of a few more drugs to ascertain whether they could also be banned.”

The drug controllers had permitted such drugs to be sold in their States.

“We have now sought a clarification from them and instructed them to take action.”

“No political reason”

Expressing satisfaction over the performance of the Department of Health in Tamil Nadu, Dr. Anbumani said he would be happier if the rural health services were further improved.

Denying any political reason behind the agitation by the Pattali Makkal Katchi in front of Primary Health Centres, he said the party was highlighting certain “shortcomings” in the functioning of PHCs and sub-health centres.

However, the utilisation of healthcare funds in Tamil Nadu was good.

The Samabasiva Rao committee, which goes into the issue of extending the duration of the MBBS course to make rural service for students mandatory, would submit its report in four weeks.