- The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry has banned sale of 14 steroid creams to prevent indiscriminate sale of ointments containing steroids and antibiotics.
- These 14 preparations were included under Schedule H of the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 to impose the ban.
- The decision was taken following consultation with Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB).
- It is notable that DTAB already recommendation to ban the sale of such creams without prescription.
- It also had submitted their recommendations to Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO).
- Some banned ointments are beclomethasone, desonide, alclometasone and fluocinonide among others.
Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB)
- DTAB is highest statutory decision-making body on technical matters related to drugs in the country. It is constituted as per the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
- It is part of Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.