Centre Lists 34 Antimicrobials, Antivirals for Proposed Ban in Animals Under Drugs Act

The proposal is outlined in Gazette Notification S.O. 2298(E), dated May 22, 2025, under Section 26A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.

According to the notification, the government is satisfied that the use of these antimicrobials in animals “is likely to involve risk to humans,” and notes that safer veterinary alternatives are available.

The draft was published after consultation with the Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB). DTAB had earlier recommended the prohibition and additionally sought detailed reports from stakeholders on three specific antimicrobials before taking a final view on their inclusion in the ban.

Read Also: DTAB Recommends Ban on 34 Antimicrobials for Animal Use, Seeks Report on 3 Exceptions

Following antimicrobials and group of antimicrobials and their formulations for animal use: -

1. Antibiotics

i. Ureidopenicillins ii. Ceftobiprole iii. Ceftaroline iv. Siderophore cephalosporins v. Carbapenems vi. Penems vii. Monobactams viii. Glycopeptides ix. Lipopeptides x. Oxazolidinones xi. Fidaxomicin xii. Plazomicin xiii. Glycylcyclines xiv. Eravacycline xv. Omadacycline

2. Antivirals

i. Amantadine ii. Baloxavir marboxil iii. Celgosivir iv. Favipiravir v. Galidesivir vi. Lactimidomycin vii. Laninamivir viii. Methisazone/ Metisazone ix. Molnupiravir x. Nitazoxanide xi. Oseltamivir xii. Peramivir xiii. Ribavirin xiv. Rimantadine xv. Tizoxanide xvi. Triazavirin xvii. Umifenovir xviii. Zanamivir

3. Antiprotozoals

i. Nitazoxanide

Objections and suggestions can be submitted within 30 days of publication to the Under Secretary (Drugs), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, either by post or by email at drugsdiv-mohfw@gov.in.