NSAIDs TOXICITY TO VULTURES

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Context

• DTAB banned two NSAIDs however it did not provide any direction on third non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug.
• In the wake of impact on animal health and the environment, DTAB has given recommendations to set up a committee.
• The committee will prepare a list of such harmful drugs.

Other Details

Ban

• In its 89th meeting DTAB recommended a ban on the manufacture, sale and distribution of two NSAIDs which are Ketoprofen and Aceclofenac.
• In livestock treatment these two drugs are used extensively.
• However DTAB have not recommended anything for Nimesulide, a similar and equally harmful NSAID to vultures.

Need for Ban

• These NSAIDs adversely impact the health and wellbeing of vultures and impact their conservation.
• It is estimated that a volumetric change in vulture population, from 4 crores to just 19,000, is because of widespread and unchecked use of NSAIDs.

Benefits of Vultures for Environment

• It will improve the population of vultures which are known to be scavengers.
• They clean up and improve health of ecosystem by eating dead animals’ body.
• They can also effectively control infection in our ecosystem.
• They are also helpful in averting the risk of water contamination due to the dead animals near water bodies.
• Hence they contribute to the mitigation of disease

Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB)

• It is a statutory body formed under Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
• It is subordinate to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and gives advice to Union and state Government on technical matters arising out of the administration of this Act.
• It also advises and takes policy decision on technical matters related to drugs in India.

https://www.newindianexpress.com/thesundaystandard/2023/jun/18/vultures-get-a-chance-as-apex-regulatory-body-suggests-ban-on-twodrugs-2586035.html