NHRC directs Health Ministry to check Misuse of Diclofenac

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to Constitute a committee for monitoring the misuse of banned drugs Diclofenac in animal use across the country. Acting on a complaint of Odisha based rights activist Akhand, the Commission also orders the ministry to direct the all state Governments to keep watch and take steps for strict implementation of the directions in the regards. In last may, NHRC had taken cognizance over the misuse of banned drugs ‘Dicolfenac’, a livestock painkiller and a killer of vultures in the country. The Commission had directed Secretary of health & family welfare to submit their reply in the matter with in four weeks.

In order to restrict the illegal use of Diclofenac injection in animals meant for human use, the Government with consultation with Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), a statutory body of Central Government, had already amended The Drugs and Cosmetic Rules,1945 to make it mandatory that the drug for human use shall be packed in single dose pack only.