KATHMANDU: The Department of Drug Administration has issued a new directive instructing pharmaceutical industries to prominently display red stripes on the labels of antibiotic medicines.
This move aims to curb antibiotic resistance resulting from the overuse, underuse, and unnecessary use of antibiotics.
In a recent notification, the department emphasized the need for a red stripe system on all types of antibiotic medicines. This decision follows complaints from consumers that the previous labeling practices were unclear and difficult to identify.
The department had initially withdrawn a similar notification on August 27, 2024, which recommended red stripes on both primary and secondary packaging for antibiotics, following suggestions from the Drug Advisory Committee.
With a renewed focus on consumer safety and antibiotic stewardship, the department has now directed all manufacturers and importers to comply with the red stripe labeling system. It further urged that antibiotics be sold and distributed only upon a doctor’s recommendation.
The notice also highlighted that legal action would be taken against anyone found distributing or selling antibiotics without a valid prescription from a doctor.
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