The Drug Regulatory Authority has cancelled licence of painkiller medicine, Diclofenac Potassium 75mg, on account of its harmful effects on kidneys, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Saturday. 

After cancellation of Diclofenac Potassium 75mg licence, no company in Pakistan could manufacture or sell this drug. 

The World Health Organization has expressed its concern over the manufacturing of this drug in Pakistan as the Diclofenac Potassium 75mg is banned all over the world and only one tablet of Diclofenac Potassium 50mg is recommended everywhere else. 

According to Drap officials, as many as 160 companies are currently making this drug which causes infection in kidneys. 

The Drap said it cancelled Diclofenac Potassium 75mg licence as nowhere in the world this tablet has been registered. 

The drug authority after cancelling registration of this drug by companies, made the ban applicable immediately across the country. 

Sources said this drug was registered and being sold in the market for the last 20 years. 

Diclofenac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). This medicine works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain.

Reporter Saba Bajeer