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Government Bans 16 FDC Drugs Under Section 26A of Drugs Act Citing Lack of Therapeutic Justification

Health & EducationPolityScience & TechHIGH
Target:UPSCMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
20 Jun 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:16 fixed-dose combinationsSection 26A of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB)
Bodies:Union Ministry of Health and Family WelfareDrugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB)Supreme Court
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What This Article Covers

1.Ministry of Health prohibits manufacture, sale, and distribution of 16 FDCs across all therapeutic categories.

2.Banned combinations include antibiotics (Amoxicillin + Serratiopeptidase), painkillers (Dicyclomine + Paracetamol), and skincare products (Aloe + Vitamin E).

3.Decision based on DTAB expert committee review; enforcement by State drug controllers under Section 26A of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Centre has banned 16 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs with immediate effect for lacking therapeutic justification and posing potential public health risks. This move, under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, follows Supreme Court directions and aims to promote rational medicine use. Students must note the legal provision, the banned categories (analgesics, antibiotics, dermatologicals), and the advisory body (DTAB).

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Number of FDCs banned16
Legal provision usedSection 26A of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
Advisory body that reviewedDrugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB)
Effective dateJune 20, 2026 (immediate prohibition)

1-Minute Revision

  • ›Number of FDCs banned: 16
  • ›Legal provision used: Section 26A of Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
  • ›Target this Data: 16 FDCs banned with immediate effect from June 20, 2026.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (notification under Section 26A).
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

Under which provision of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, has the central government banned the 16 fixed-dose combinations?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the ban on 16 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs:

1. The ban is based on the recommendations of the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB).

2. The banned formulations include antibiotic combinations such as Amoxicillin with Serratiopeptidase.

3. The ban applies only to the manufacture and sale within select states mentioned in the notification.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricEasy

How many fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs have been banned by the Centre in this notification?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary objective of the government's action to ban these 16 fixed-dose combination drugs?

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