Government Looks To Label Polio And Iron Tablets In Hindi and Regional Languages For More Awareness

In a move to curb fake, sub-standard and expired drugs, the government is considering to label Polio drops and iron tablets in Hindi and other regional languages. For the last year, the government has been working towards ensuring stringent quality control over the two drugs which are widely used by almost all children born in India.

The Drug Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) recently recommended that all government agencies involved in the procurement of drugs should ensure that the tendering process includes regional languages along with English on the labels of the two drugs.

Speaking to The Hindu, a senior health official said: “Drug names and expiry date during tendering will be in Hindi/regional language too for — polio drop and Iron tablets — procured for children under the government programmes.”

DTAB in a recent meeting considered a proposal to amend the rule 96 of Drugs and Cosmetics rule 1945 for labelling of iron tablets and polio drops distributed to the children under government programmes with name and expiry date in Hindi.