Oxytocin and issues over its commercial use

GS-II: Oxytocin and issues over its commercial use

Context

The final decision on whether the government can block private pharmaceutical companies from manufacturing and selling vital pregnancy drug oxytocin in India was handed to the Supreme Court.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin is a natural hormone that causes the uterus to contract.
Oxytocin is used to induce labour or strengthen labour contractions during childbirth, and to control bleeding after childbirth.
Oxytocin is a neurotransmitter and a hormone that is produced in the hypothalamus.

Issuses with the use of Oxytocin

Misuse by Farmers

It is excessively used to extract more milk from the cows and buffaloes which makes the cows barren sooner and lowers the lifespan of the animal
It is used to increase the size of vegetables such as pumpkins, watermelons, brinjals, etc.

Misuse In healthcare

It is used to speed up deliveries for pregnant women in overcrowded government hospitals.
Overuse causes symptoms of dizziness, nausea, early puberty, mood swings, erratic heart rate and fetal damage, among others.

What are the case?

The health ministry in April 2018 notified a ban on private firms from manufacturing and selling oxytocin.
It wanted to restrict the responsibility of supplying the drug to a Karnataka-based public sector manufacturer to avoid its misuse in the veterinary field.
Following a case by drug makers like some private players the Delhi High Court in December 18 quashed the ban on various grounds, including that it lacked a scientific basis.

Source: Indian Express

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