Department of Drug Administration issues directive not to use 103 antibiotic drugs

According to the Department of Drug Administration (DDA), the directive has been issued with the aim of mitigating, preventing, and controlling the use of antibiotic drugs.

NL Today

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Kathmandu: The government has issued a directive to consumers and stakeholders, urging them to refrain from using a total of 103 specific antibiotics. 

Narayan Prasad Dhakal, Director General of the Department of Drug Administration (DDA), said that this directive has been issued with the aim of mitigating, preventing, and controlling the use of antibiotic drugs. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also not recommended the use of these particular antibiotics.

According to Dhakal, there is a lack of scientific justification for the utilization of these specific antibiotics. He said, “The WHO has compiled a list of 103 types of antibiotics that should be avoided. We will neither register nor grant permission for the use of these drugs.” 

However, among the 103 antibiotics in question, 13 have already been registered.

The DDA has developed a national action plan aimed at reducing the incidence of illnesses, mortality rates, and economic repercussions associated with antibiotic resistance. This plan is currently in its final stages of approval. 

Director General Dhakal said that directives have been issued to relevant agencies, instructing them not to register, renew registration, import, or utilize these specific antibiotics. This directive aligns with the recommendations put forth by the Drugs Advisory Committee.