Conservationists are applauding the Union Health Ministry’s move to stop the veterinary use of painkiller aceclofenac and ketoprofen and its formulations, with immediate effect.

These are two of three “vulture-toxic” drugs that conservationists have been seeking a ban on. The third drug is nimesulide. 

About 16 years ago, India had banned the veterinary use of diclofenac, as it was found to be toxic for vultures. But more recently, conservationists had approached the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on the other three drugs as well, to take it up with the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). A public interest litigation was also filed on the issue in the Delhi High Court.

Prohibiting production

On July 31, the Health Ministry issued a notification prohibiting the production and distribution of the two drugs, because of the risk it posed to animals and because safe alternatives are available. Conservationists point to meloxicam and tolfenamic acid as safe alternatives. 

Welcoming the ban, Kishore Rithe, Interim Director and Honorary Secretary with BNHS (Bombay Natural History Society) told businessline, if the Government would impose a similar ban on nimesulide as well, it would be a game-changer for vulture conservation in India.

The Centre’s move was timely and followed years of policy-related efforts, added Abhishek Ghoshal, Conservation Scientist with BNHS. Now “implementation is key to ensure (the) conservation of vultures,” he said. 

Safer alternatives

Pointing to research in this direction, AM Pawde, Principal Scientist and Incharge IVRI (Indian Veterinary Research Institute) said, aceclofenac metobalises into diclofenac in the body of large animals, and vultures feed on their carcass. While there are safe alternatives in the market for animals, he said, more research is being undertaken to establish safer alternatives and establish nimesulide’s toxicity as well.

A recently published study by IVRI and collaborators had said that aceclofenac metabolised into diclofenac in water buffaloes, as it did in cows, threatening the already critically endangered Gyps vultures in South Asia. They had recommended the immediate ban on the veterinary use of aceclofenac across vulture range countries. Pawde, was a co-author of the paper.

Conservationists, who did not want to be named, said, the Government now needs to ensure that stocks of these banned drugs in the country, also be removed from circulation. And while it was unlikely that the human-version of these drugs would be diverted for animal use (given the difference in dosage and delivery system), they added, the system needed to be vigilant, and ensure safe painkillers are available for use in animals.

Related Topics