SANTOSH KUMAR writes: It's paradoxical we should be saying this a day after the Rahul Mahajan champagne-and-cocaine saga. But yes, India has become a dumping ground for banned drugs. And production of banned drugs has become a booming business.

Not many people keep track of these bans and unwittingly consume the drugs causing a lot of damage to themselves and putting their lives at grave risk.

The following drugs have been have been globally discarded but are easily and widely available in India. The most common ones are D'Cold, Vicks Action 500, Novalgin and Nimulid.

ANALGIN: This is a pain-killer. Reason for ban: can cause bone marrow depression. Brandname under which it is sold: Novalgin

CISAPRIDE: Prescribed for acidity, constipation. Reason for ban: can cause irregular heartbeat. Brandname: Ciza, Syspride 

DROPERIDOL: Anti-depressant. Reason for ban: Irregular heartbeat. Brandname: Droperol

FURAZOLIDONE: Antidiarrhoeal. Reason for ban: can cause cancer. Brand name: Furoxone, Lomofen

NIMESULIDE: Painkiller, also prescribed for fever. Reason for ban: can cause liver failure. Brandname: Nise, Nimulid

NITROFURAZONE: Antibacterial cream. Reason for ban: can cause cancer. Brand name: Furacin

PHENOLPHTHALEIN: Laxative. Reason for ban: can cause cancer. Brand name: Agarol

PHENYLPROPANOLAMINE: Prescribed for cold and cough. Reason for ban: can cause stroke. Brand names: D'cold, Vicks Action-500

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Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Reason for ban : can cause bone marrow depression. Brand name: Sioril

Anti-worm drugs. Reason for ban: can cause nerve damage. Brand name: Piperazine

Anti-diarrhoeal drugs. Reason for ban: can cause damage to vision. Brand name: Enteroquinol

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Please make sure that you buy drugs only if prescribed by a doctor. Also, buy drugs made by reputed manufacturers and at reliable drug stores.

We forward jokes and and other junk all the time. This is far more important. Please make sure you forward it to every one you know.