Kathmandu. The Department of Drug Administration (DDA) has banned the import and production of 47 types of medicines that do not meet the international standard (TRS) set by the World Health Organization.

As per the director-general-level decision of the Department of Drug Administration on October 5, the production license, sale and distribution registration certificate, drug import registration certificate and drug import recommendation letter have been scrapped.

Director General of the Department of Drug Administration Bharat Bhattarai said that the Department has issued a public notice prohibiting the import and production of 47 types of new medicines.

However, the department has said that the sale and distribution of these drugs which are currently being sold in the market has not been banned. In order to reduce the quality, safety and risk of ‘cross contamination’ of the ‘immunosuppressant’ class of drugs, the department’s risk assessment was being carried out as per the public notice issued on June 4, 2008.

In the case of the drugs where the risk assessment documents are satisfactory, the concerned producer/importer has been requested to immediately submit the current stock details along with the declaration of the same to the Department while importing medicines for a maximum of three months in order to maintain balance in the supply chain of the said drugs.

However, if any person is affected by the use of such drugs, the entire responsibility shall be taken by the drug-providing agency and the person using it.