New Delhi: India’s apex drug regulator has raised concerns over the “indiscriminate use of painkillers and antibiotics,” citing the potential risk of chronic kidney disease with ‘inappropriate or prolonged use’.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) issued a detailed advisory outlining precautions for healthcare professionals, pharmacists and healthcare institutions involved in the use of such drugs.
According to the circular, the advisory aims to prevent avoidable adverse drug reactions, renal complications and antimicrobial resistance.
Healthcare professionals have been advised to use the lowest effective dose for the shortest appropriate duration, particularly in patients at increased risk of renal impairment. It also calls for avoiding unnecessary combination therapy, inappropriate antibiotic selection, incorrect dosing and unnecessarily prolonged treatment.
Meanwhile, retailers have been asked to ensure that the drugs dispensed by them carry the prescribed warning labels and medicines must be sold only against a prescription.
Painkillers and antibiotics are prescription medicines that require stricter regulatory oversight, as their indiscriminate use may lead to serious adverse events.
Multiple studies have flagged that frequent or improper use of painkillers and antibiotics can adversely affect kidney function, reduce blood flow to the kidneys and potentially cause long-term damage.
The latest advisory comes amid repeated calls by authorities and noted experts to promote the judicious use of such medicines, discourage self-medication and strengthen oversight of their sale across India.
In January this year, the Union Health Ministry also proposed blue-strip labelling on all antibiotics, to alert consumers and aid identification.
Published On Sep 22, 2026 at 01:10 PM IST
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