Lok Sabha Question No. 328 (STARRED), answered on 2015-12-22
Subject: Use of Oxytocin
Ministry: AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE
Asked by: RAJEEV SHANKARRAO SATAV, SUPRIYA SADANAND SULE

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE

## DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, DAIRYING AND FISHERIES LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO.*328

TO BE ANSEWERED ON 22 ND  DECEMBER, 2015

## USE OF OXYTOCIN

## *328.  SHRI SATAV RAJEEV: SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

Will the Minister of AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE कृ षि एवं ककसान कल्याण मंत्री be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware that milk dairies are reportedly using Oxytocin, a banned drug to increase milk production and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)  whether  the  artificial  use  of  oxytocin  has  adversely  affected  progeny  of  cattle,  including  cows  and buffaloes and resulted in dwindling of livestock and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the corrective action taken by the Government against those indulging in unethical practice in this regard;
- (d) whether the Government has desired the Food Safety and Standard Authority to find ways to make use of Oxytocin as an offence under the relevant Statutes and if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) the other corrective steps taken by the Government to address the problem?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMERS WELFARE ( SHRI RADHA MOHAN SINGH )

(a) to (e) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House

## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  to  (e)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION TO BE ANSWERED ON  22.12.2015

(a)  There  have  been  complaints  that  milk  dairies  are  reportedly  using  Oxytocin  to  increase  milk production.

(b) The National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI) has informed that there is no scientific evidence that artificial use of Oxytocin has adversely affected progeny of cattle and buffaloes resulting in dwindling of  livestock.  However,  continuous  Oxytocin  use  could  lead  to  a  progressive  addiction  and  lack  of response to normal let down of milk.

(c) and (e)  The Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries has issued advisories to all State  Governments/ Union Territories to build close liaison with State Drug Controller to check the clandestine use of Oxytocin by the dairy owners. Further, all the State Animal Husbandry Departments have  been  requested  to  undertake  extension  services/activities  for  mass  information,  education  and communication to educate farmers about the harmful effects of misuse of Oxytocin on milch animals.

The  Drug Controller General of India has reportedly taken up the following measures under the provisions  of  the  Drugs  and  Cosmetics  Act,1940  and  Rules  made  thereunder  to  prevent  misuse  of Oxytocin by (a) Oxytocin formulation is permitted to be manufactured and sold in single unit blister pack only ; (b) Under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 (23 of 1940),  a notification has been issued vide GSR no. 29 (E) dated 17/01/2014, to regulate and restrict the manufacture, sale and distribution of Oxytocin in the country and to prevent its misuse, directing that the drug Oxytocin shall  be  manufactured  for  sale  or  for  distribution  or  sold  in  the  following  manner:  (i)    The manufacturers  of  bulk  Oxytocin  drug  shall  supply  the  active  pharmaceutical  drug  only  to  the manufacturers licensed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, 1945 for manufacture of formulations of the said drug and (ii) The formulations meant for veterinary use shall be sold to the veterinary hospitals only.  Central  Drugs  Standards  Control  Organization  has  carried  out  raids  at  various  places  where Oxytocin was being manufactured illegally and First Information Reports (FIRs) have been lodged.

(d)  As per the information provided by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, while this issue has been  discussed  in  the  Drugs  Consultative  Committee,  no  such  action  has  been  taken  by  the Government.