Delhi High Court Restores Ban on Two Diabetes FDC Drugs

• The Delhi High Court reinstated the government's ban on two fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs for Type II Diabetes Mellitus.
• A Division Bench ruled that the Centre has the authority to halt manufacturing and sale of FDC medicines in public health interest.
• The court overturned a single-judge's order that had previously struck down the government's ban notifications.
• The ban, initially issued in 2018, targeted FDCs containing Glimepiride, Pioglitazone, and Metformin due to hypoglycemia risk and lack of safety data.
• The Bench emphasized that Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, allows a ban based on the likelihood of risk to human health, not just proven harm.

Why It Matters: Delhi High Court upholds government's power to ban diabetes FDC drugs based on potential health risks.