Therapeutic justification for codeine under study

A special expert committee formed under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) is reviewing the safety, efficacy and therapeutic justification of codeine-based medicines and is all set to submit a report with its decision on the ban, early July.

Over the last 10 years, the cultivated area under poppy in India has declined drastically, from 26,000 hectares to 1,050 hectares in 2016. The number of farmers shrunk from 1.60 lakh farmers 10 years ago, to 50,000 currently.

While opium farming is shrinking in India, the need of opium for medical use has increased multifold globally.

Potential abuse of codeine-based medicines is purported as one of the reasons for consideration of a possible ban.

However, data from a study conducted at NIMHANS showed that codeine abuse is 0.7 per cent of the study sample compared to 21 per cent related to alcohol. The seizure data of Narcotics Control Bureau also showed a seizure of only 0.05 per cent of the total codeine produced and consumed in the country. Both indicate the relatively marginal nature of the cough syrup abuse problem in the country.

Shiv Kumar Sharma ‘Kakaji’, President, Rashtriya Kisan Mazdoor Mahasangh (RKMM) said, “The Indian farmers community condemns the possible ban on codeine-based medicines. While the opium farmers in countries like Australia, Turkey are prospering through licit production of opium, the Indian government’s ill plan to impose a ban on codeine-based drug formulas will further aggravate the sufferings of Indian opium farmers. Instead of promoting opium poppy farming in India to match the increasing demand of opium products, it seems like the government is taking every possible step to destroy this cash rich crop in India. If there is a ban on codeine-based medicines, we will lose our livelihood.”