Q: How do I know whether a drug is banned in India?
A: The list of banned drugs in India is published on the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization web site. Your physician will also guide you whether a drug is banned in India or not.
Q: Why are drugs banned by the FDA not banned in India?
A: Each country has its own regulations to control the use of drugs within its boundary. Some drugs banned in the United States are not banned in India. One reason for this could be that the same side effects were not seen extensively in the Indian population.
Q: How are drugs tested for side effects?
A: Drugs are first tested in animals. They then undergo clinical trials in humans. In Phase 1 clinical trials, they are studied in normal people to check for the safety of the new product. In Phase II, they are examined in few people suffering from the disease to see if they are effective in the particular illness. In Phase III, they are considered in many people suffering from the disease to check for efficacy as well as safety. After Phase III study, the drug is released into the market. This is followed by Phase IV or post-marketing surveillance in which the drug is monitored in the general population.
