City-based doctors on Wednesday flayed the ban on anti-diabetes drug Pioglitazone and requested the Centre to reverse its decision in interest of patients.
“The Government should reconsider its decision as the blanket ban (on the drug) is not
appropriate. We are confident the authorities will review Pioglitazone ban once more clinical data is submitted to them.
“Affordability for the masses and lack of absolute substitute with similar efficacy are two favourable considerations for the drug,” Siddharth Shah, ex-President, Association of Physician of India told reporters here.
Last week, Union Health Ministry banned sale of Pioglitazone as it is believed to cause urinary bladder cancer and heart failure. However, the medicine is still sold in the US and Europe with a boxed warning. Having a market size of Rs 800 crore, over 30 lakh patients across India were using Pioglitazone medication.
Published 03 July 2013, 21:11 IST