Medicines as Carcinogenic (Health, Diseases and Biotechnology)
Medicines as Carcinogenic (Health, Diseases and Biotechnology)
Why In News:
The World Health Organization's cancer research arm has classified three widely used medicines as carcinogenic, prompting concern over their continued use and triggering a review by Indian drug regulators.
Source: The Hindu, Page 12, 5 August 2026, '3 widely used medicines classified as carcinogenic by WHO research agency'
Three Classified Medicines
Hydrochlorothiazide: A commonly used and low-cost medicine for high blood pressure. It can make the skin more sensitive to sunlight, increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Voriconazole: A strong antifungal drug used to treat serious infections. It may damage skin cells over time, raising the risk of skin cancer.
Tacrolimus: A medicine given to organ transplant patients to prevent rejection. It weakens the immune system, which can increase the risk of certain cancers like lymphoma.
The WHO Body Involved
International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): The specialised cancer research agency of the WHO, headquartered in Lyon, France, responsible for classifying substances by carcinogenic potential.
IARC Monographs Programme: The mechanism through which IARC evaluates and classifies agents, including chemicals, drugs, biological agents, and physical agents, into carcinogenicity groups.
IARC classifies carcinogens into Groups 1, 2A, 2B, and 3 based on evidence: from definite (Group 1) to probable/possible (2A/2B), to not classifiable (Group 3).
India's Regulatory Response
Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO): India's national drug regulatory body, responsible for reviewing drug safety data, including IARC findings.
Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940: The primary legislation governing approval, manufacture, and sale of drugs in India.
Pharmacovigilance Programme of India (PvPI): Monitors adverse drug reactions and safety signals for medicines sold in India, coordinated by the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission.
WHO membership: India regularly reviews global regulatory alerts from IARC, the European Medicines Agency, and the US FDA through CDSCO.