Products such as medicines, cosmetics, and consumer goods can be banned when they pose safety risks to the public. Bans aren’t meant to punish manufacturers - they protect people from harm when evidence shows a product is unsafe, ineffective, contaminated, or mislabelled.
Common reasons for bans include: • Safety issues discovered after widespread use (side effects, toxicity)
• Failure to meet quality or standard tests
• Contamination with harmful chemicals
• Misleading claims or improper labelling
• Lack of proper regulatory approval
This is where pharmacovigilance and quality surveillance become vital. Pharmacovigilance is the ongoing monitoring of products after they enter the market to detect unexpected adverse effects, evaluate risks, and act early to protect public health.
Real Examples of Banned or Withdrawn Products
1. Bans due to failed safety/quality tests in India
In 2025, the Karnataka Drug Control Department banned 15 pharmaceutical and cosmetic products, including widely used Pomol-650 paracetamol tablets and O Shanti Gold Class Kumkum, after laboratory testing found them unsafe or “not of standard quality”. Healthcare providers were directed to stop using or selling them immediately.
2. Large-scale bans by CDSCO
India’s Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) banned 196 medicines and cosmetic products that failed safety and quality standards. The list included fever-cough medicines, fixed-dose combination drugs, cough syrups, and even some cosmetic products like Mamaearth items - all pulled after routine sampling showed non-compliance with required norms.
3. Cough syrups linked to child deaths
After tragic reports of children developing kidney failure, states like Madhya Pradesh and Punjab banned certain cough syrups and all products from manufacturers whose syrups tested positive for toxic diethylene glycol, a deadly industrial chemical. These bans illustrate how pharmacovigilance and regulatory inspection can prevent further harm.
4. Historical food product bans - Maggi noodles
In 2015, Maggi noodles were banned nationwide in India after tests showed lead and MSG above permissible limits; authorities pulled thousands of tonnes from stores. Although the ban was later overturned after retesting, it showed how food safety monitoring protects consumers.
Why This Matters
Without active monitoring systems like pharmacovigilance, many harmful products might remain on shelves despite dangerous side effects or quality issues.
• Early detection saves lives
• Quality enforcement builds trust
• Regulators can update guidelines based on real-world data
Product bans reflect a responsive and evolving safety system, not failure - they are proof that regulation works to protect public health.
MBH/AB