• After being banned in retail markets, the Drug Controller will soon restrict manufacturing of controversial hormone drug Oxytocin to public sector undertakings (PSUs).
• The drug is used by diary owners and farmers to boost milk production and make vegetables look bigger and fresher.

Oxytocin:

• Oxytocin is a hormone known to trigger a wide variety of physical and psychological effects and is commonly used to facilitate childbirth.
• The Government of India banned retail sale of the hormone in 2014 after it was found that indiscriminate use of Oxytocin in milch animals and by farmers was causing irreversible hormone damage.
• The Health Ministry’s idea is to restrict everything is to public sector and as the drug regulator, we agree with the government’s thinking.
• The move has been proposed by animal rights activist and Women and Child Development Minister Maneka Gandhi.
• Misuse of Oxytocin is leading to early sterility in milch animals at an unprecedented rate. Despite it being a Schedule H drug.
• The manufacture and sale of Oxytocin without a licence is a cognisable.

Source:TH