While the AIPMA (All India Plastics Manufacturers Association), the apex body of plastic industry has raised objections on the central government's notification to prohibit use of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles for packaging drugs, doctors and an NGO have come out in support, quoting researches highlighting the cascading health impact it has on the patient.
What demands has the NGO put forth?
Speaking at a press conference held in Mumbai on Thursday, Him Jagruti, an NGO focusing on health issues underlined the international and national studies on the PET bottle containers. Him Jagruti has now launched a movement called "Act India" which aims at enabling people demand responsible and safe packaging.
How do the two types of bottles differ?
Dr Hemant Thacker, physician at Breach Candy Hospital said: "Glass bottles have longevity and durability. In PET bottles, the temperature in which it is kept is not monitored. There is documentary evidence that the components of the PET bottle tend to get into the medicine solution, which has a cascading impact on the patient's health."
What does the govt notification entail?
It was released on September 29, 2014, based on the recommendations by Drugs Technical Advisory Board prohibiting use of PET or plastic containers for primary packaging of drug formulations used for paediatric, geriatric, pregnant women and reproductive women age groups.
How do PET bottles affect drug solution?
"The PET bottles have components that act as endocrine disruptors which get moulded into the drug solution. The common man tends to ignore the shelf life mentioned on the container, and also ignore the temperature at which the drug should be stored. These pose high health risks," said Dr Thacker.
What did leaching analysis show?
The NGO also focused on a recently conducted laboratory analysis at a leading National Test House – Kolkata (NTH-K). Examining leaching process from PET containers, especially in a pharmaceutical compound – Benadryl, a leading cough syrup widely used in children, women in reproductive age – it showed leaching of various harmful compounds at levels much higher than the permissible range.
The leaching for all compounds tested was more pronounced at higher temperatures, ie 40 and 60 degrees, was significantly higher than the permissible limits.
Doctorspeak
Dr Jayesh Lele, general secretary, Indian Medical Association said: "Most of the research shows that medicines packed in PET bottles has its effects on children, child-bearing women and the geriatric population. It is a good stand the government has taken, against the PET bottles for drug packaging."
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