HC quashes ban on cough drug

Chennai: The Madras high court on Tuesday quashed a central government notification banning Cipla’s cough and cold drug phenylpropanolamine.
Phenylpropanolamine (PPA) is a synthetic amine commonly used in cough and cold preparations. Cipla has been selling PPA products for past 10 years. The Centre banned the drug on February 10, on recommendations of an expert committee, saying the drug is associated with harmful effects and there is little justification for its therapeutic use. Cipla challenged the ban.
Justice V Dhanapalan said there was no evidence to suggest the Centre satisfied itself that the drug would cause harm to humans and animals as claimed before banning it. No opportunity was also given to Cipla to explain its stance, the judge said.