Recent Nimesulide controversy

According to a recent Indian Medical Association (IMA) survey, Nimesulide, commonly prescribed for pain and fever, is safe for patients of all ages. The IMA, which had initiated a survey three months ago after it was reported in the media that the drug triggers liver disorders, has found that it has "minimal side-effects like nausea and vomiting" and the benefits of taking Nimesulide outweighed its adverse effects. More than 50 doctors country-wide participated in an opinion poll organised by the IMA and submitted data on the use of Nimesulide on nearly 5.3 lakh patients who were categorised into different age groups. The findings have been submitted to the Drug Controller of India who is appointing a committee to look into the issue of adverse reactions to drugs. The drug, however, continues to be available and there is no move to reconsider its use or approval. The national drug turnover is about 1.90 crore and it is available in over 30 other drugs and as drops for infants. Adverse media reports have resulted in some companies announcing cuts in its manufacture. The opinion poll on Nimesulide conducted by the Indian Medical Association calling it `safe' may not end the controversy over the drug yet as medical researchers have questioned the process and some leading doctors have directly written to the Drug Controller of India to ban its use as, with the exception of one or two countries, no country in the world allows the use of this drug in children, particularly infants. The survey has been questioned on the grounds that adverse drug reactions are not determined by professional bodies of doctors anywhere in the world and the word from fifty doctors is not adequate when there are four lakh doctors in the country. Dr. C.M. Gulhati comments on the IMA poll

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