INDIA – The Indian government plans to prohibit the production and distribution of cough syrups containing codeine.

Numerous leaders have written letters to the health minister in support of this, claiming that using it renders the body and mind utterly numb.

Codeine is a pain reliever that belongs to the class of drugs known as opiates. It is used to alleviate pain following surgery or an injury.

When over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol, ibuprofen, and aspirin have failed to relieve the discomfort, it is also administered.

It acts in the brain and central nervous system to stop pain signals from reaching the rest of the body. Additionally, it lessens the stress and worry brought on by pain.

Many Indian MPs are saying that cough syrups with codeine are intoxicating and being used less in medicine and so the government should ban the manufacture and sale of the syrups.

Many Indian MPs are saying that cough syrups with codeine are intoxicating and being used less in medicine and so the government should ban the manufacture and sale of the syrups.

Cough and cold syrups sold by multinational corporations like Pfizer and Abbott were among the best-selling brands in the pharma retail industry more than 5 years ago.

In 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration restricted the use of codeine and tramadol (remedy to deal with ache) medicines in kids, on account of security dangers.

Codeine and its preparations are underneath schedule H1, that is disbursed in opposition to prescription, however, most can be found over-the-counter (OTC) in India.

On 1 February 2018 Australia changed the status of codeine-containing medicines to prescription only.

The medicines lost their OTC status following a review by their medicine’s regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

The decision was influenced by similar moves in the United States, Hong Kong, Japan and the United Arab Emirates and “most of Europe” has also changed the status of codeine-containing medicines to prescription only.

The Australian Advisory Committee on Medicines Scheduling concluded that misuse of over-the-counter codeine products can be fatal.

The ban will heavily impact brands promoted by companies like Pfizer, Abbott, Laborate and Mankind once a final decision is made.

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