In a clear violation of government's directives, drugs containing "Rofecoxib" are being freely sold in the market.
The Drugs Registration Board (DRB) had already cancelled the registration of all drugs containing "Rofecoxib" after reviewing reports of increased cardiovascular and world-wide withdrawal of "Rofecoxib" by the manufacturer.
The withdrawal was based on damning evidence of increased risk for confirmed cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes.
The giant Multinational, Merck & Co announced world-wide withdrawal of its largest selling product Vioxx(r) (generic name: Rofecoxib) on September 30, 2004.
A survey conducted by The Network for Consumer Rights, a non-governmental organisation, on Monday revealed that Vioxx is freely available at medical stores throughout the country.
The company has not asked medical stores for removal of the stocks and, according to the survey, very few doctors were aware of the product's withdrawal and still recommending it to the patients.
The Network has criticised health ministry for not taking concrete steps to ban Vioxx and the other three brands while the Indian government has already banned the product despite sever pressures from the pharma industry.
The health ministry has no mechanism for market vigilance or taking remedial action.
In Pakistan, Vioxx is marketed by MSD at Rs 80 per tablet, while other brands, including Xib, Rofegesic, and Vicox are being manufactured by national companies.
The Network has demanded of the government to ban all the drugs containing rofecoxib with immediate effect, and direct the concerned companies to withdraw the stocks without any further delay.
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