The drug, which is sold under the name Reductil, has already been banned by the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA) after reports of high risk of strokes and heart attacks were reported in people who used it. Following this ban the drug authorities in India are also closely monitoring the situation.

Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), has taken steps to see if Sibutramine is safe for use of not. DCGI Surinder Singh has revealed that the body will ask members of DCGI's pharmacovigilance committee to take note of the EMA decision and provide an update on the situation in India.

The latest action over sibutramine follows the ban of another anti-obesity drug called rimonabant in the country, which came 10 months after the drug was banned elsewhere in the world. Two other anti-obesity drugs, fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine, are already banned in the country.

Sibutramine was approved for use in India in 1999 and since then has become one of the most popular drugs in the estimated Rs 200 crore anti-obesity drugs segment. Local firms like Cipla, Sun, Glenmark, Torrent, Mankind and Micro Labs sell generic versions of the drug.

Consumers who are already taking the drug will be better off consulting their doctors on the future course of action.

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