India Bans 16 Fixed-Dose Combination Drugs Over Safety and Efficacy Concerns
Key Insights
The Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has imposed an immediate nationwide ban on 16 Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) drugs under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
The ban follows a Supreme Court directive and a comprehensive review by an Expert Committee and the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (search) (DTAB), which found the combinations lacked therapeutic justification.
Banned formulations include antibiotic combinations such as Amoxicillin + Serratiopeptidase (search) and 10 Aloe Vera-based over-the-counter products deemed irrational and potentially harmful.
The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has prohibited the manufacture, sale, and distribution of 16 Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) drugs for human use across India, effective immediately. The ban, imposed under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, was announced via a gazette notification published on June 19, 2026, and follows a Supreme Court directive calling for a comprehensive review of FDCs available in the Indian market.
The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (search) (DTAB) constituted an Expert Committee to examine various FDCs and assess their safety, efficacy, and therapeutic value. After conducting a detailed scientific evaluation, the Expert Committee concluded that 16 FDCs lacked adequate therapeutic justification and that their continued use could pose potential health risks. The government stated that the risks associated with their use outweighed any potential benefits.
"The combinations, termed 'irrational', were examined by an expert committee in 2021 and subsequently by the Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), which also recommended a complete ban on the flagged formulations," according to the Ministry.
A sub-committee of the DTAB also provided an opportunity for stakeholders of the concerned fixed-dose combinations to present relevant data. Following a review of the submissions, the sub-committee endorsed the proposal to ban the select formulations for human use in the larger public interest.
Banned Formulations Span Multiple Therapeutic Categories
The prohibited medicines belong to different therapeutic categories, including dermatological products, pain-relief and antispasmodic drugs, and antibiotic-based formulations. The Ministry noted that these combinations were found to be irrational and not supported by sufficient scientific evidence.
Notably, the list includes penicillin-class antibiotics such as Amoxicillin + Serratiopeptidase (search) and Amoxicillin + Serratiopeptidase + Lactobacillus sporogenes (search), which are used for the treatment of common bacterial infections. Additionally, 10 combinations containing Aloe Vera as an ingredient—many of which are dispensed over the counter without prescription—have been banned. These include formulations combining Aloe Vera with ingredients such as Jojoba Oil, Wheat Germ Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Vitamin E, and Olive Oil.
Other banned combinations include Acetyl Salicylic Acid + Ethoheptazine (search) and Dicyclomine + Paracetamol + Clidinium Bromide + Chlordiazepoxide (search).
Ongoing Regulatory Crackdown on Irrational Combinations
The latest move is part of a broader regulatory effort. Over the past 12 months, the Ministry has imposed a complete ban on more than 50 irrational combinations. Most recently, 29 vitamin-mineral supplements were banned in February 2026.
The Health Ministry emphasized that the action reinforces the government's commitment to evidence-based healthcare and patient safety while promoting the rational use of medicines in the country. The Ministry has directed all State Drug Controllers, regulatory authorities, and enforcement agencies to strictly implement the ban and ensure compliance. Manufacturers, importers, distributors, and other stakeholders have been advised to take necessary steps to discontinue the affected products and align with the provisions of the law.