Madras HC shows pain for painkiller

The Madras High Court on Thursday refused to direct the Central government to impose a ban on the manufacturer of Nimesulide, one of the most commonly used anti-inflammatory drug with analgesic to treat high fever and body pain.

While hearing a public interest litigation petition (PIL) filed by Tamil Nadu Health Development Forum citing it’s a number of side effects like hepatic failure and renal failure among children. However, the court found no ground to issue any direction in this regard.

It was clearly noticed to the court that the drug has already been banned in several countries including US, Australia, Canada and England considering its ill effects on liver and kidney.

The high court bench headed by Justice S.J. Mukhopadhaya said that considering the earlier judgement by the Delhi High Court where the court had rejected a similar petition, the court didn’t find any reason to any reach any sort of conclusion against the drug without knowing the exact level of toxic concentration.

The bench also mentioned that the issue is out of their jurisdiction and experts of pharmacology and the Drug Control authority can very well decide about the safety profile of the drug. Meanwhile as per the Central Drugs Standard Control, the safety profile of the drug is similar to that of other drugs in same category.

In fact medical practitioners in India are constantly prescribing this though on regular basis the issue of its safety amid growing side effects has been a concern and also a worrying factor for its manufacturer. The health development forum in its plea had cited the cases of some countries like Spain, Finland, Australia and the United States where it is no more allowed to be marketed.

Nimesulide Drug

Use: It is primarily and widely used as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug for body pain and fever.

Instruction: Only to be used after proper instruction of physician and any side effect should be informed immediately. It is also advisable to be extra cautious while prescribing doses for children below 12 years.

Side Effects: Some of the common side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, and in serious case can cause renal failure in new borns.

Though the drug is still in wide circulation despite its side effects, the encouraging fact is that most of the general public are well aware of the side effects and have stopped its use. However, the central government should take such PIL in high concern and thus pertinent steps accordingly.