Following the Government ban on fixed dose combination drugs, the manufacture and sale of 'Vicks Action 500 Extra' was discontinued by Procter and Gamble (P&G) with an immediate effect.

In a BSE filing, Pfizer said, “The Government of India has prohibited the manufacture for sale, sale and distribution of fixed dose combination drugs (Paracetamol + Phenylephrine + Caffeine) with immediate effect.”

“Our product ‘Vicks Action 500 Extra’ has the same fixed dose combination and is covered under the notification. We have discontinued the manufacture and sale of all SKUs of ‘Vicks Action 500 Extra with immediate effect.”

On 10 March 2016, the government had banned the manufacture, sale and distribution of  fixed dose combination of chlopheniramine maleate plus codiene syrup, along with more than 300 fixed dose combination drugs. It is used in the cough syrups.

Following this, drug majors like Abbott and Pfizer discontinued the sale of their popular cough syrups Phensedyl and Corex, respectively. Howeverm, the companies are looking for every possible option to counter the ban's impact.

Pfizer  said in a BSE filing that,“The company is exploring all available options at its disposal... The prohibition is likely to have an adverse impact on the revenue and profitability of the company,”

Abbott spokesperson said, “We are concerned that patients may not have access to some medicines which have been approved by DCGI and safely and effectively used in India for years.”

Sumana