NImusulide will be banned in INDIA too.

Already banned in developed nations after it was found to be causing adverse health effects, the analgesic nimesulide may now be suspended from paediatric use in India too.

The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) will take a final call on the fate of the drug .

The DCGI had earlier recommended a ban on the drug to the Union Health Ministry after the sub-committee of the government's chief advisory body - the Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) - had recommended it. The Ministry, however, had asked the DCGI to have a meeting with the stakeholders so as to hear their side of the story.

The DCGI will now alert the Ministry again after the meeting with the manufacturers. Nimesulide is already banned in developed nations such as the US, Canada and European Union countries. If the ban is enforced, the drug will be off the shelves in the country soon.

The drug has been under the scanner for quite sometime now. The issue was brought up in Parliament too, after reports that it causes toxicity in the liver. Last year, Nimesulide was banned in Ireland after which the EU also advised to put a restriction on its usage.

There are many other drugs banned in other countries which are used widely in India. Some of them, such as Phenylepropsalamine which is used in cough syrups and human placenta extract which is used for wounds, arthritis and other tropical application will be discussed at Thursday's meeting.

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