In a landmark Government notification to save vultures, the multi-dose vials of human diclofenac has been banned. This anti-inflammatory drug will henceforth be available as single dose vials of 3-ml only, in place of the earlier 30-ml multi-dose vials to avoid its misuse on cattle.
Vultures that feed on cattle carcasses had drastically declined since the past two decades as diclofenac is toxic for this endangered species. The notification comes close on the heels of International Vulture Awareness Day on September 5.
As per the notification published by the Health and Family Welfare Ministry on August 17, the diclofenac formulation for human use will henceforth be available as single dose vials of three ml only. This inexpensive non steroidal drug is effective for treating pain and inflammation in cattle and humans, but is deadly for vultures.
According to studies conducted by Bombay Natural History Society (BHNS) and UK-based Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), the three Gyps species of vultures in India had drastically declined by about 99 per cent over the past two decades.
These scavengers that thrive on dead bodies of wild animals and domestic ungulates have been dying on a mass scale after feeding on carcasses that were administered diclofenac 72 hours prior to their death. This medicine induces renal failure and deposit Uric acid on visceral organs.
The drug was earlier banned by the Drug Controller General of India in 2006 for veterinary use “However, further surveys by BNHS had revealed that multi-dose vials of the drug meant for humans were still being used on cattle”, said Atul Sathe from BHNS.