The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) has issued a drug safety alert about the common painkiller Meftal.
- According to the IPC. the drug’s constituent, mefenamic acid, triggers severe allergic reactions like the DRESS syndrome, which affects internal organs.
- Meftal is a commonly used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). Despite being a prescription medication, mefenamic acid is widely used in India for various purposes, including relieving menstrual pains, headaches and muscle and joint pain.
- It is sold as Meftal, Mefkind, Mefanorm and Ibuclin P. Mefenamic acid shares similarities with medications like ibuprofen and aspirin.
DRESS syndrome
- DRESS syndrome (Drug Rash with Eosinophilia and Systemic Symptoms) is a severe allergic reaction, potentially deadly and caused by certain medications.
Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC)
- Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC) is an Autonomous Institution of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India.
- IPC is created to set standards of drugs in the country. Its basic function is to update regularly the standards of drugs commonly required for treatment of diseases prevailing in this region.
- It publishes official documents for improving Quality of Medicines by way of adding new and updating existing monographs in the form of Indian Pharmacopoeia (IP).
- It further promotes rational use of generic medicines by publishing National Formulary of India.
- IP prescribes standards for identity, purity and strength of drugs essentially required from health care perspective of human beings and animals.
- IPC also provides IP Reference Substances (IPRS) which act as a finger print for identification of an article under test and its purity as prescribed in IP.
- The Commission has become fully operational from 1st January, 2009 as an Autonomous Body.
- The Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, is the Chairperson and the Chairman-Scientific Body is the Co-Chairman of the Commission.
- The Secretary-cum-Scientific Director is the Chief Scientific and Executive Officer of the Commission.
