Stay with the evidence: On the ban on Fixed Dose Combination drugs

The article discusses the Union Health Ministry's recent ban on 16 Fixed Dose Combination (FDC) drugs, citing lack of therapeutic justification, irrationality, and safety concerns. This follows a similar ban in 2016 on over 330 FDCs. FDCs, which combine two or more active ingredients, were initially intended to improve patient compliance, especially for chronic conditions. However, irrational combinations can be ineffective, harmful, and contribute to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), particularly with antibiotic FDCs. The article emphasizes the need for strict implementation and monitoring by regulatory authorities to ensure the ban's effectiveness.