21 March 2011
New Delhi, India
Gatifloxacin, an antibiotic and Tegaserod, to treat irritable bowel syndrome – are likely to involve certain risks to human beings
The Government of India has banned the drugs Gatifloxacin and Tegaserod with immediate effect, saying that the use of the drugs is "likely to involve risk to human beings".
"The use of these two drugs is likely to involve certain risks to human beings, whereas safer alternatives to the said drugs are available," a Health Ministry statement said.
"The government is satisfied that it is necessary and expedient to prohibit the manufacture, sale and distribution of Gatifloxacin and Tegaserod in public interest," it said.
Gatifloxacin is an antibiotic and Tegaserod is meant to treat irritable bowel syndrome.
The move comes after international studies revealed that Gatifloxacin posed 17 times higher risk of developing serious hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) than other antibiotics in elderly patients.
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