Raids in East Delhi, case lodged even as doctors outrage over the restrictions
Days after an order restricting oxytocin manufacture came into effect, the drug controller’s office carried out surprise checks in several parts of East Delhi.
Checks were carried out in various chemist shops, departmental stores and dairies.
During the search, the team has seized plastic bottles (200 ml & 100 ml ) suspected to be oxytocin injection, from a departmental store that does not have the licence to sell oxytocin.
Oxytocin is a peptide hormone used in various conditions such as induction of labor, control of postpartum bleeding or haemorrhage, etc.
While the drug controller is leaving no stone unturned to enforce the restrictions, gynaecologists are upset by the limited availability of what can, at the time of delivery, be a life saving drug.
It has been reported from time to time that clandestine activities of manufacture and sale of oxytocin is leading to its grave misuse, which is harmful to animals and humans.
Its misuse is mostly in the dairy industry, where livestock are injected with oxytocin to make them release milk.
In 2015, CDSCO had also raided various places in Gazipur, East Delhi and seized a large quantity of oxytocin bottles from some stores and unlicensed premises. Two persons were arrested and prosecution was launched against those accused. The matter is under trial before the Hon’ble Court in Delhi.
The Central Drugs and Standards Control Authority has already requested all the State/UT Drugs Controllers as well as its Zonal, Sub-zonal and Port offices to sensitize their inspectorate staff to keep strict vigil on manufacture, sale and distribution of oxytocin in the country. Effective from September 1 oxytocin manufacture is only allowed in the public sector to prevent its misuse by dairy farmers.
While the drug controller is leaving no stone unturned to enforce the restrictions, gynaecologists are upset by the limited availability of what can, at the time of delivery, be a life saving drug.
