Government of India Bans Oxytocin Growth Hormone To Restrict Misuse From 1 July 2018

Government of India Bans Oxytocin Growth Hormone To Restrict Misuse From 1st July 2018- Details, Purpose, Misuse

Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has banned manufacture and sale of Oxytocin drug formulations for domestic use in the private sector to prevent its misuse from 1st July 2018.

Oxytocin drugs import has been banned completely from 27th June 2018 already.

The Government of India has also not allowed retail or wholesale chemists to stock this drug in their shops in any form or name.

Jenceforth, Karnataka Antibiotics & Pharmaceuticals Ltd will only manufacture the drug and supply it directly to registered private and public hospitals.

Oxytocin hormone has become controversial hormonal injection that is misused widely in the dairy industry, agriculture and horticulture. The drug’s abuse in dairy animals to make them release milk at a time convenient to farmers shortens their lives and makes them barren sooner.

Oxytocin hormone is also used to increase the size of vegetables such as pumpkins, watermelons, brinjals, gourds and cucumbers.

Even its misuse is reported among trafficked children, injected to accelerate puberty among girls. It is also being misused to speed up deliveries for pregnant women in overcrowded government hospitals.

Oxytocin

Oxytocin, also called love hormone, is released naturally in human bonding activities such as childbirth, breastfeeding, and sex. It is secreted by the pituitary gland.

Oxytocin is a uterine stimulant hormone, prescribed for initiation of uterine contractions and induction of labor in women as well as stimulation of contractions during labor.

Oxytocin is also used to help abort a fetus in cases of incomplete abortion or miscarriage, and control bleeding after childbirth. It may be used for breast engorgement.