New Delhi: India‘s drug regulatory authority is actively considering mandating mention of excipients on the strip of a medicine for its safe use, people in the know told ET. As of now the labels declare active substances only which are added in the formulation.

“People popping medicines should be able to make informed decisions and hence it’s important to make them aware about what they are consuming, said the person.

The Drugs Consultative Committee (DCC), which comprises a technical body of experts deliberated on the issue in its recent meeting last week and yet to take a final decision.

“The DCC has been considering the proposal to incorporate provision for inclusion of details of excipient on every strip of medicines,” added the other person.

If the proposal is approved all marketing holders will need to identify the excipients included in any human medicine authorised in the country in its product information.

An excipient is a constituent of a medicine other than the active substance, added in the formulation for a specific purpose. While most excipients are considered inactive, some can have a known action or effect in certain circumstances.