The central government has banned the manufacture, sale and distribution of all oral formulations of nimesulide containing a quantity over 100mg. In a notification released on 29th December, the Union Health Ministry announced the ban, citing health risks linked to the drug.
The government has banned the manufacture of the painkiller nimesulide and has also prohibited the sale of all oral formulations of this popular painkiller containing more than 100 mg. pic.twitter.com/gfw1DYUlTi
— ANI (@ANI) December 31, 2025
The decision was taken on the recommendation of an expert committee that included the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). It was further endorsed by an advisory panel under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The drug is said to be capable of causing liver damage in some patients, which can prove fatal in certain cases. Nimesulide is a commonly used painkiller and anti-fever medicine for humans.
Earlier, the government banned all veterinary formulations of nimesulide
In January this year, the central government banned all veterinary formulations of nimesulide on the advice of a CDSO panel. The decision reportedly stemmed from environmental concerns, particularly the rapid decline of vulture populations in India. The CDSO panel cautioned that nimesulide, which is used as a painkiller for cattle, was one of the topmost threats to the existing vulture population. The decision was based on a safety-testing report on vultures conducted jointly by the Bombay Natural History Society and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research–Indian Veterinary Research Institute. The report revealed that vultures administered nimesulide died within 24 hours of consuming the drug.
