Last Updated on December 31, 2023 by The Health Master
Drugs banned for animals
Download notification No. S.O. 3448(E) dt 31-07-202, the link is given below: The Union health ministry has taken a crucial step to protect animal welfare by issuing a notification vide No. S.O. 3448(E) dt 31-07-2023 that bans the manufacture, sale, and distribution of pain killers, ketoprofen and aceclofenac, and their formulations for animal use.
The decision comes after careful consideration of the potential risks to animals and their environment, with safer alternatives readily available in the market.
This measure aims to safeguard vultures, whose populations have been significantly impacted by the use of certain NSAIDs in veterinary medication.
Ministry’s Concerns and Notification:
The Central Government, through the above-mentioned gazette notification dated July 31, has expressed its conviction that formulations containing ketoprofen and aceclofenac could pose risks to animals.
In light of this concern, the ministry believes it is essential to prohibit the use of these drugs in animal treatment to ensure their safety and well-being.
Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac – Risks and Usage:
Ketoprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly used to manage pain and inflammation, while aceclofenac is an NSAID similar to diclofenac.
Unfortunately, studies have shown that these two drugs can be highly toxic to vultures and other avian species when administered to livestock.
Furthermore, aceclofenac can be rapidly metabolized into diclofenac, compounding the danger to vultures.
Recommendations and Expert Opinion:
The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), during its meeting on May 10, 2023, recommended to the government that the production and manufacturing of ketoprofen and aceclofenac for animal use be prohibited.
In response to a representation advocating for a ban on these drugs to conserve vultures, the Board opined that a sub-committee should be formed to thoroughly examine the issue of drugs affecting animal health and the environment, submitting a comprehensive report for appropriate action.
Expert Examination and Final Decision:
Upon receiving the matter, the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) undertook a thorough examination, consulting subject experts to assess the situation.
Based on their evaluation, the DAHD recommended the imposition of a ban on veterinary drugs containing ketoprofen and aceclofenac for the treatment of livestock animals, aiming to protect vultures.
Implications of Past Decisions:
This latest prohibition echoes a previous action taken by the drug regulator, which banned the use of diclofenac in veterinary medication about a decade and a half ago.
This move was prompted by the identification of diclofenac as a significant threat to vulture species.
Recent studies have also pointed out that other NSAIDs, including aceclofenac, may have similar adverse effects on vultures.
For example, aceclofenac can metabolize into diclofenac in certain mammal species, leading to comparable risks for vultures.
Research Findings and Urgency of the Ban:
Researchers from the Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Uttar Pradesh, and other institutions published a study in 2022, confirming the vulture-toxic nature of aceclofenac.
Their research demonstrated that aceclofenac behaves similarly to diclofenac in domestic water buffalo and cattle, posing a significant threat to vultures.
This study strongly recommended an immediate ban on the veterinary use of aceclofenac across vulture-range countries.
Impact on Vulture Population:
The use of diclofenac in treating injured and dying cattle resulted in a decline in the population of three species of Gyps Vultures in India and neighboring South Asian countries since the mid-1990s.
When vultures consume the carcasses of animals treated with diclofenac, it leads to kidney failure, visceral gout, and death of these birds.
However, the study also identified NSAIDs such as meloxicam and tolfenamic acid as safe alternatives for vultures.
On the other hand, other NSAIDs like ketoprofen, nimesulide, carprofen, and flunixin have been proven toxic to captive vultures.
Conclusion:
The Union health ministry’s decision to ban ketoprofen and aceclofenac formulations for animal use is a crucial step towards safeguarding the well-being of animals, particularly vultures.
By identifying and prohibiting potentially harmful drugs, the government aims to protect vulture populations and ensure a sustainable environment for these magnificent creatures.
With safer alternatives available, the veterinary community can contribute to the preservation of vultures and their vital role in maintaining ecological balance.
Disclaimer: This article contains information derived from Pharmabiz. Our team utilized an AI language model, to rewrite and present the news / article in a unique format.
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