There have been some reports in the Media regarding misuse of oxytocin injection. However, scientific data on the extent of such practices is not available. The Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) has informed that no ill effects have been observed in the animals in experiments carried out on the use of oxytocin.

In view of the reports of misuse of oxytocin by dairy owners in milch animals, the manufacture and sale of oxytocin injection has been regulated under section 26 A of the Drugs and Cosmetic Act, 1940 published vide notification number G.S.R. 29 (E) dated 17.01.2014. Accordingly, the drug oxytocin shall be manufactured for sale or for distribution or sold in the manner specified below, in addition to the provisions contained in the Drugs and Cosmetic Act and Rules made thereunder, namely-

        i.            The manufactures of bulk oxytocin drug shall supply the active pharmaceutical drug only to the manufacturer licensed under the Drugs and Cosmetic Rules, 1945 for manufacture of formulations of the said drugs.

     ii.            The formulations meant for veterinary use shall be sold to the veterinary hospital only.

Further, the Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries have also issued an Advisory to all the State Governments to comply with the provisions of the above mentioned notification. 

The Health Minister was replying to a question in the Lok Sabha here today.

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MV/BK/LK