Government Ban on Oxytocin

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