Decision on banning of painkiller drug on June 20

             Banned in many countries, including the UK and US, popular painkiller drug dextropropoxyphene is now under scanner in India too. At a meeting to be held by the Drug Controller General of India on June 20, over a dozen experts will meet to review the safety of the drug. “It is important to review the drug to see if it is safe for human consumption, after which we will take a decision without taking it for further consultations,” said a senior official in the DCGI office. Doctors say dextropropoxyphene is popular in India and is prescribed in cases of severe pain. “It is an effective painkiller,” says Dr C M Gulati, editor, Monthly Index of Medical Specialties.  Dextropropoxyphene is sold under popular brands like Proxyvon (Wockhart), Corbutyl (Sanofi), Parvon (Jagson Pal), Dexovon (USV) and Sudhinol (Ranbaxy). The drug can lead to addiction if used for prolonged periods, doctors said.