The Union Health Ministry has imposed an immediate ban on 156 fixed dose combination (FDC) medicines, following concerns raised by an expert committee regarding their therapeutic justification and potential risks to patients. The ban marks a significant regulatory move in the pharmaceutical sector, aimed at curbing the use of combinations deemed “irrational” by health authorities.FDC medicines, which contain multiple active ingredients, are designed to simplify treatment regimens by reducing the number of pills patients need to take. However, they can also result in patients receiving medications they do not require, such as antibiotics for conditions that may only need simpler treatments like paracetamol.The newly banned combinations include various formulations such as:- Anti-allergic medicines combined with nasal decongestants- Syrups combining mucus breakers with paracetamol- Antibiotics mixed with acne treatments and iodine solutions- Migraine medicines paired with anti-nausea drugs- Supplements and burn treatments containing aloe vera, menthol, and silver sulfadiazineNotably, the ban extends to combinations like mefenamic acid with tranexamic acid and sildenafil (the active ingredient in Viagra) with blood vessel relaxants. This new list also includes some pre-1988 medicines previously exempt from restrictions.This crackdown is the largest on FDCs since the government previously banned 344 such drugs in 2016, a decision later challenged by drug manufacturers. In 2018, following court directions, 328 combinations were banned based on recommendations from the Drugs Technical Advisory Board, though 15 pre-1988 FDCs were initially spared.The recent move has raised concerns within the pharmaceutical industry, with some experts questioning the immediate enforcement of the ban and the decision to include long-standing pre-1988 medicines. The industry is grappling with the logistical challenge of withdrawing products already in circulation.Additionally, the Health Ministry recently prohibited a specific paracetamol and pain medication combination and requested that two other combinations prove their efficacy against international standards.