Goa bans veterinary use of diclofenac

Panaji, Aug 9 (UNI) The Goa Government has banned manufacture and sale of anti-inflammatory drug ''diclofenac'' for veterinary use as it has been indicted for causing deaths among vultures.

The veterinary use of diclofenac will be banned in Goa with effect from August 15.

The ban is in accordance to the decision of the Drug Controller General of India following serious concern expressed at different fora over the declining vulture population.

Vultures which consume carcasses of livestock, that had been treated with the drug formulation, die of renal failure with the drug working as poison affecting their kidneys.

The drug manufacturers, dealers and veterinary doctors have now been refrained from manufacturing, selling, prescribing and using any formulation containing the molecule.

They were also directed to inform the directorate about the balance stocks of the drug formulation, according to an official communique here today.

UNI BM MAZ VA RN2254