Despite a ban on the retail sale of hormone drug Oxytocin (that is used to induce labour in women) for veterinary use, several pharmacies in the State continue to sell it illegally over the counter to dairy owners and farmers, who use it to boost milk production. In the long run, it lowers the lifespan of cows and makes them infertile sooner.
Under Schedule H of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, the drug can be distributed on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner only. To avoid its bulk sale, Oxytocin injections are packed only in single unit blister packs.
Health Minister K.R. Ramesh Kumar on Monday admitted during a programme in Belagavi that despite strict monitoring of the drug sale, it continues to find its way into the market illegally.
Vigilance has been effective in Belagavi district. While a case has been booked against Vardhaman medical stores in Mangasuli of Athani taluk in the past, it was detected last week that another medical store in Belagavi city has been selling the drug to farmers. In fact, officials from the Drugs Controller’s office in Belagavi led by Deputy Drugs Controller Deepak N. Gaikwad posed as farmers and purchased the drug from the store in bulk. “The product sample (that does not have any batch number or other details of the manufacturer) has been sent for laboratory tests and we are awaiting results. We learnt that the drug was being supplied to the pharmacy by an Indore-based manufacturer. Investigations are on and we will soon file a case,” Mr. Gaikwad said.
“The Drugs and Cosmetics Act explains the manner in which Oxytocin can be prescribed and the detailed records which need to be kept by registered medical practitioners. The records need to be maintained for three years,” he said. Principal Secretary (Health and Family Welfare) Shalini Rajneesh told The Hindu that the ban restricts the Oxytocin bulk drug manufacturers from selling it to only those with licences to make the drug formulations.
“The drug makers on the other hand can supply it directly only to veterinary hospitals and it is illegal to sell it over the counter in retail outlets. The Deputy Drugs Controller of Belagavi was vigilant enough to detect the illegal sale. We will now issue advisories to all pharmacies in the State that such illegal sale will attract penal action under provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940,” she said.
The manufacture and sale of the drug without licence is a cognizable and non-bailable offence under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, she added.