NGO Slams Weak Oversight of Popular Supplements

A non-governmental organization, 'Right to Life', has submitted a representation to Union Health Minister JP Nadda, calling for a significant overhaul in the regulation of nutraceuticals. The NGO contends that classifying these products as food items under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has led to a "serious dilution" of manufacturing standards and oversight.

Many nutraceuticals are routinely prescribed by doctors and dispensed through pharmacies similarly to prescription drugs. Patients reasonably expect pharmaceutical-grade quality and safety for these products. However, their current classification as food items subjects them to weaker regulatory scrutiny compared to drugs overseen by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).

Unlike pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals are not subject to mandatory pre-market batch testing, pharmacopoeial standards, or strict labelling compliance. The NGO cited widespread issues such as adulteration, incorrect dosages, and undeclared ingredients in the Indian market, compounded by limited post-market surveillance. Furthermore, nutraceuticals have been removed from the purview of the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA), allowing price increases of 200-300% or more, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations.

Following recommendations from a 2024 inter-ministerial committee, the NGO urged the government to restore CDSCO oversight for nutraceuticals making disease risk reduction claims, mandate WHO-GMP compliance, and reinstate NPPA price controls. Failure to address these regulatory gaps, the NGO warned, could continue to compromise public health and impose significant financial burdens on patients.