Vultures at risk, Govt bans drug used on livestock

In a letter written last week, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) warned drug companies not to sell diclofenac.

While, the manufacturing of veterinary diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory drug, was banned in 2006 after scientists proved that its use on livestock had brought vultures to the brink of extinction, farmers and vets continued to use the human form of the drug in treating animals. In a bid to restrict the use of the human form of the drug, the DCGI has directed drug companies to label diclofenac containers as "Not for veterinary use." It is learnt that the move has been initiated after the intervention of the PMO.

"The use of deadly drug was still on even as the drug for veterinary use was banned two years back. This was important to make sure that the drug is not used at all for the vet purposes," said a senior official in the health ministry.