The drugs technical advisory body (DTAB) would on Monday decide whether morning after pills, -I-pill’ and ‘Unwanted 72, promoted by Cipla and Man-kind Pharma, would continue to be sold over the counter (OTC).

These pills are among the most advertised among the pharma industry on the mainstream media. Another drug, Letrozole, promoted by Sun Pharma, would be reviewed since it was reportedly indicated for sub-fertility levels in young menstruating women in the country.

DTAB, the highest technical body set up by the drug controller general of India (DCGI), the drug regulator in the country, would take a call on the sale of emergency contraceptive pills under the OTC category as also whether advertising for the same should be allowed. There has been a hue and cry among medical practitioners and the civil society over the alleged misuse of these pills by the youth. They believe that these pills are being used as a regular contraceptive met-hod rather than an emergency pill since the advertisements of these products did not expresThe drugs technical advisory body (DTAB) would on Monday decide whether morning after pills, -I-pill’ and ‘Unwanted 72, promoted by Cipla and Man-kind Pharma, would continue to be sold over the counter (OTC).

These pills are among the most advertised among the pharma industry on the mainstream media. Another drug, Letrozole, promoted by Sun Pharma, would be reviewed since it was reportedly indicated for sub-fertility levels in young menstruating women in the country.

DTAB, the highest technical body set up by the drug controller general of India (DCGI), the drug regulator in the country, would take a call on the sale of emergency contraceptive pills under the OTC category as also whether advertising for the same should be allowed. There has been a hue and cry among medical practitioners and the civil society over the alleged misuse of these pills by the youth. They believe that these pills are being used as a regular contraceptive met-hod rather than an emergency pill since the advertisements of these products did not expressly talk about the difference.

Mankind Pharma (promoter of Unwanted 72) and Cipla (promoter of the i-Pill) declined to comment on why these pills should continue to be sold in the OTC category, as also on the adverse impact on the business. Morning-after-pills were allowed by the health ministry to be sold over the counter a year ago in the backdrop of a debate on these pills to be sold in the open market.

Anjala Aneja, senior gynecologist, Max Hospital, said, “There is a clear case for disallowing the sale of these pills without a prescription. There is a need to also make advertisements for such products more transparent and honest.”

Letrozole, approved by DCGI two years ago, for use in breast cancer, got into a controversy amid reports that use of the drug by women of child-bearing age was prohibited in certain parts of the world, due to alleged side effects of the drug. In view of the criticism, the DCGI referred the matter to DTAB. A Sun Pharma spokesman said, “We have conducted a trial as required and have gotmarketing approval.”sly talk about the difference.

Mankind Pharma (promoter of Unwanted 72) and Cipla (promoter of the i-Pill) declined to comment on why these pills should continue to be sold in the OTC category, as also on the adverse impact on the business. Morning-after-pills were allowed by the health ministry to be sold over the counter a year ago in the backdrop of a debate on these pills to be sold in the open market.

Anjala Aneja, senior gynecologist, Max Hospital, said, “There is a clear case for disallowing the sale of these pills without a prescription. There is a need to also make advertisements for such products more transparent and honest.”

Letrozole, approved by DCGI two years ago, for use in breast cancer, got into a controversy amid reports that use of the drug by women of child-bearing age was prohibited in certain parts of the world, due to alleged side effects of the drug. In view of the criticism, the DCGI referred the matter to DTAB. A Sun Pharma spokesman said, “We have conducted a trial as required and have gotmarketing approval.”