The central government of India issued an official gazette notification on August 1, banning the manufacture, sale, and distribution of two veterinary drugs, Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac. The ban was imposed due to concerns over potential risks to animal health and ecological damage, as reported by Mint. The ban decision came after the Union health ministry considered the harmful effects of these drugs on animals, particularly livestock.
Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac are known for their pain-relieving properties, but their usage has been found to be harmful to livestock, particularly cattle. Moreover, these drugs have also had detrimental effects on vultures, which consume the carcasses of treated animals. Vultures that consumed these carcasses experienced increased uric acid levels, leading to fatal kidney failure, thereby disturbing the ecological balance.
The ban was discussed during the 89th meeting of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), under the Central Drugs Control Standard Organization. The government’s notification stated that the use of drug formulations containing Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac is likely to involve risks to animals. Hence, it is deemed necessary and expedient in the public interest to prohibit the manufacturing, sale, and distribution of these drugs and their formulations.
The decision to ban these drugs was made after seeking guidance from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) and the Ministry of Agriculture. Veterinary experts pointed out that Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac had emerged as replacements in the market after the ban of Diclofenac, a similar analgesic used on livestock that was associated with toxicity.
The use of these substances has been particularly prevalent in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Punjab, with limited regulatory mechanisms to prevent their misuse. Furthermore, improper carcass disposal has worsened the ecological impact of these drugs.
By implementing the ban, the government aims to safeguard animal health and protect vultures, an essential part of the ecosystem. The prohibition on Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac is expected to have a positive impact on the environment and mitigate potential risks to wildlife caused by these veterinary drugs.
