Panadol is not sold in India because the government has banned certain fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs, and while Panadol itself is not an FDC drug, it is often sold in combination with other drugs which may be banned.
Understanding Fixed-Dose Combinations (FDCs)
A fixed-dose combination (FDC) is a medication that combines two or more active pharmaceutical ingredients into a single dosage form. While convenient for patients, regulatory bodies like the Indian government are careful about these combinations.
The Indian Government's Stance on FDCs
The government of India has banned 14 specific FDC drugs, citing that there is "no therapeutic justification" for these medicines. This indicates that the government believes the risk of using these combinations outweighs the benefits.
Reasons for banning FDCs:
- Lack of therapeutic advantage of combining specific drugs.
- Increased risk of adverse drug reactions.
- Potential for antimicrobial resistance, especially with FDCs containing antibiotics.
- Difficulty in adjusting dosages of individual components.
How This Relates to Panadol
Panadol is the brand name for paracetamol (acetaminophen), a common pain reliever and fever reducer. Paracetamol itself is not banned in India and is widely available under various brand names. However, it is often combined with other drugs in FDC form, particularly with drugs that are pain relievers or cold medications.
Example:
Paracetamol is often combined with:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or diclofenac.
- Decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine.
- Antihistamines, such as chlorpheniramine or diphenhydramine.
If any such combination falls under the FDC bans, then specific products containing these combinations would not be sold. So while Panadol itself is not banned, the combinations that Panadol is found in may be banned. Thus, if a specific Panadol product was banned, this could create the impression that all Panadol products are banned.
Availability of Paracetamol in India
It's important to note that paracetamol is readily available in India under various other brand names and generic forms, usually as single ingredient products. These are available in most pharmacies and are sold under the brand names of Crocin, Calpol etc.
In Summary:
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Panadol (Paracetamol) | Is not banned in India and is widely available under other brands and generic forms |
| FDC Bans | The Indian government banned certain combinations of drugs (FDCs), as they deemed them to be without therapeutic benefit or having increased risk of harm. |
| Impact on Panadol | Products of Panadol in combinations may be banned if they were found to be fixed-dose combinations of concern by the Indian government. |
