India Pharma Outlook Team | Friday, 26 September 2025
In a significant move to combat antimicrobial resistance, the Union Health Ministry has banned the import, manufacture, and sale of 34 antimicrobials and their formulations for use in animals.
This decision, based on recommendations from the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB), brings India in line with global practices, including those followed by the European Union. The ministry issued a draft notification on May 22, inviting objections or suggestions within 30 days. However, in its final notification dated September 23, it confirmed that no feedback was received from the public. The government noted that safer alternatives are available for these drugs in veterinary use, and their continued application in animals could pose serious risks to human health.
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The banned list includes 15 antibiotics such as carbapenems, ceftaroline, glycopeptides, oxazolidinones, and plazomicin. Additionally, 18 antivirals including oseltamivir, molnupiravir, favipiravir, ribavirin, and baloxavir marboxil have also been prohibited. The antiprotozoal drug nitazoxanide is also part of the ban. The Ministry stated that these antimicrobials are considered critical for treating specific infections in humans and should be preserved exclusively for that purpose.
The DTAB had highlighted that these 34 drugs are listed by the European Union as reserved for human use only. By restricting their use in animals, the Indian government aims to prevent the emergence of drug-resistant infections and ensure that these essential medicines remain effective for human treatment in the future.
