Why in news?
Government has recently decided to restrict the production and sale of oxytocin.
What is Oxytocin?
- Oxytocin is a crucial hormone used on pregnant women.
- It is used for the induction of labour and stop postpartum bleeding.
- It causes uterine contractions during labour, and also helps new mothers lactate.
- It has largely been in use during delivery to reduce maternal mortality.
- Government has banned its production other than by the public sector Karnataka Antibiotics and Pharmaceuticals Ltd (KAPL).
- KAPL alone can supply oxytocin to registered public and private sector hospitals.
Why is the ban?
- Misuse - Besides the genuine uses, Oxytocin is largely misused.
- It is used in injecting milch animals, such as cows, to increase milk production.
- Vegetables and fruit, too, are injected with Oxytocin, to increase their sizes.
- Worryingly, it is also used in illegal and unsafe abortions to induce labour.
- Besides, social workers allege that it was injected to force premature puberty in trafficked young girls.
- Sale - Illegal import of the drug from China is another concern.
- It is subsequently sold in India in “crude plastic bottles” by unlicensed companies.
- Even on the organised front, only one company imports the raw material.
- This is then made into a finished drug and sold by licensed and unlicensed players.
What are the concerns with the ban?
- Doctors have cautioned of supply shortages of the drug due to the restriction.
- The KAPL exemption has paved the way for a PSU monopoly, by a company that has never made this drug in the past.
- KAPL claims to have the capacity to supply the country’s requirement.
- But there is little transparency over the drug’s pricing in comparison to that of private producers.
What could be done?
- Competition is a leveller and so the government should reconsider the ban on private production.
- Its abuse needs to be curbed, possibly by restricting its human and veterinary sale.
- Multiple layers of documentation as with narcotic and psychotropic drugs or antibiotics could be adopted.
- Massive surveillance and raids on illegal importers and unlicensed producers could be implemented.
Source: The Hindu, BusinessLine
