India Stops Import of Controversial Injection Oxytocin Used on Livestock

New Delhi (Sputnik) — After months of consideration, India has finally decided to completely ban the import of the growth-inducing hormone drug oxytocin from July 1 to stop its misuse in the livestock industry and farm sectors. It had long been demanded from the activists and social groups that oxytocin should be banned, as it is allegedly being widely misused in the dairy sector.

READ MORE: 'Made in India' Pharmaceuticals Widely Abused in Neighboring Countries — Report

"The drug's abuse in animals shortens their lives and makes them barren sooner," Maneka Gandhi, women and child development minister, recently said in parliament.

​India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, through a notification, has restricted the manufacture of Oxytocin formulations for domestic use to the public sector. Only state-owned Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals Ltd. (KAPL) has been authorized to manufacture and direct supply to the registered hospitals and clinics across the country. 

"From 1st July 2018, no private manufacturer will be allowed to manufacture the drug for domestic use. Oxytocin in any form or name will not be allowed to be sold through retail Chemist," the notification reads. 

The government has also instructed tax officials and intelligence wings to increase vigilance in border areas, as it is suspected that unscrupulous entities may attempt to smuggle Oxytocin by employing illegitimate means through Bangladesh and Afghanistan.

READ MORE: India Announces Penal Punishment For Medics Who Underreport TB Cases

Earlier, this year, the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) informed in a report that there is no scientific evidence that artificial use of Oxytocin has adversely affected the progeny of cattle and buffaloes, resulting in a dwindling of livestock. However, continuous Oxytocin use could lead to a progressive addiction and lack of response to normal let down of milk.