New Delhi: The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has issued an advisory urging the public and healthcare stakeholders to ensure the safe and rational use of painkillers, particularly non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and antibiotics.
The drug regulator's circular, dated September 21, warned against the indiscriminate, repeated or prolonged use of these medicines without appropriate medical supervision. It highlighted the potential for inappropriate NSAID use to cause kidney damage and contribute to chronic kidney disease (CKD).
The advisory is directed at healthcare professionals, pharmacists, retailers, distributors, hospitals and members of the public. CDSCO said medicines should be used only when clinically indicated, at appropriate doses and for appropriate durations under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner.
Warning on self-medication
CDSCO noted that most NSAIDs are prescription medicines. It said NSAIDs and antibiotics fall under various schedules of the Drugs Rules, 1945, including Schedules G, H, H1 and X, depending on the medicine and its associated risks.
The regulator specifically advised people not to repeatedly take painkillers without medical advice and cautioned against using antibiotics for self-medication. Antibiotics should be used only when clinically indicated and are not appropriate for conditions where they provide no benefit, such as most uncomplicated viral infections.
People with pre-existing kidney disease or other factors that may increase the risk of renal impairment have been advised to inform their healthcare professionals before taking NSAIDs.
Advice for doctors and pharmacies
CDSCO asked healthcare professionals to consider a patient's clinical condition, age, co-morbidities, other medicines and relevant risk factors before prescribing NSAIDs or antibiotics.
Pharmacists, retailers and distributors have been advised to follow the conditions of sale and warnings applicable to medicines and not encourage or facilitate self-medication with prescription-only NSAIDs or antibiotics.
Hospitals and healthcare institutions have also been asked to strengthen systems for rational prescribing, prescription reviews and monitoring of these medicines, while promoting antimicrobial stewardship and appropriate patient counselling.
The advisory comes amid concerns over the health consequences of inappropriate medicine use, including kidney complications, adverse drug reactions and antimicrobial resistance.
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