With its various steps failing to curb illegal sale of Oxytocin injection, rampantly used for extracting more milk from cows and buffaloes as well as to increase sizes of vegetables and fruits, the Centre is now toying with the idea to regulate its production and sale through a Public Sector Unit (PSU).
A senior official from the Union Health Ministry said that Bangalore-based public enterprise Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals limited (KAPl) has been tentatively shortlisted for the job and “we are looking into its manufacturing capacity”. An ISO accredited PSU, KAPl is in the areas of manufacturing and marketing of various life saving and essential drugs. It manufactured around 326 lakhs ampoules of Oxytocin in 2016-17.
The Ministry is also planning to restrict and limit Oxytocin’s production to only those companies to whom licenses have already been granted. Presently, there are around 125 such private firms across the country, the official said.
The Government’s move to regulate, production and distribution through a PSU follows a Himachal Pradesh High Court order which has directed the Centre to take steps to curb its misuse. HP Chief justice Mansoor Ahmad Mir and judge Tarlok Singh Chauhan had taken suo moto cognizance of reports about misuse of Oxytocin in dairy, agriculture and horticulture sectors in the State.
Even though the drug is considered an essential in medical practice for certain conditions in human as well as veterinary field, the alleged abundant availability and use of the drug in a clandestine way is a matter of great concern for public health, Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi too has been expressing concern at the menace.
The drug is often injected into cows and buffaloes twice a day, affecting their health as well of the humans who consumes their milk.
Though the bulk sale of the drug is disallowed and Oxytocin injection is limited to single sealed blister-packs, Oxytocin is injected by unscrupulous farmers in fruits and vegetables to grow them fast and milkmen to boost milk yield.
“It has been also noticed that the bulk drug illegally enters into India via West Bengal from the porous borders of Bangladesh through boats or other such illegal channels,” the official said.
The Drugs Controller General of India has already directed all state drug controllers to stop manufacturer, sale and distribution of Oxytocin bulk/injection in case manufacturers fail to comply with regulatory requirements even after giving opportunity.
It has also written to the Union Home Ministry to direct police in the States to take cognizance of offences related to misuse of Oxytocin.
The medicine has medical use for induction and augmentation of labour, to control post partum bleeding and uterine hypo tonicity. The Agriculture Ministry has opposed complete ban on its production and use for veterinary use asserting that it has therapeutic application in case of expulsion of fetus, retention of placenta.