New Delhi: Union Health Ministry on Sunday banned the manufacture, sale and distribution of antibiotic, Colistin and its formulations for the food producing animals, poultry, aqua farming and animal feed supplements in a bid to preserve the drug’s efficacy in humans.
Colistin is an antibiotic for therapeutic purpose in veterinary. But the drug is highly misused in poultry industry as a growth promoter for prophylactic purpose.
A notification issued by the ministry, it was brought to the notice of the central government that the use of the drug Colistin and its formulations is likely to involve risk to human beings.
The ban has been imposed under provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, the notification said.
“The Central Government is satisfied that it is necessary and expedient in public interest to prohibit manufacture, sale and distribution of the drug Colistin and its formulations for food producing animals, poultry, aqua farming and animal feed supplements,” the notification said.
“Now, therefore, in exercise of powers conferred by section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 the government hereby prohibits manufacture, sale and distribution of the following drug with immediate effect, Colistin and its formulations for food producing animals, poultry, aqua farming and animal feed supplements,” the notification added.
The ministry also urged the manufacturer of the drug to label the container of the drug and mention the words “not to be used in food producing animals, poultry, aqua farming and animal feed supplements ” in conspicuous manner on the package insert and promotional literature of the said drug and its formulations.
According to a ministry official, the antibiotic is being used as a last resort for treatment of patients suffering from infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria.
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