In a conference held by Jain Doctors’ Federation (JDF) last week, a large number of doctors vouched to minimize prescription of drugs that are derived from animal extracts, and instead use the best alternative allopathic medicine available.

It was agreed upon by the doctors that there are a number of evidences where the human body suffers with side-effects like adverse allergic reactions as a result of popping those shiny, lubricated capsules or tonics, which do not serve any therapeutic purpose. Also, in extreme cases, they may lead to cancer.

While some animal extracts are used to lubricate and colour capsules, the pancreatic juice from animals is used for smooth digestion in humans.

“Animal extracts in medicines are known to have carcinogenic effect on the human body, not forgetting the cruelty done to the animals, especially when there is alternative medicine or ingredient available in allopathy,” said Dr Mangal Jain, associate professor of pharmacology in Grant Medical College, JJ hospital.

A group of doctors is planning to approach the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to tighten its rules and regulations, especially disclosure of information in public interest.

“FDA should make it compulsory for all drug manufacturers to mention “made from animal extracts” in the list of ingredients on the cover of the medicine and prohibit use of any jargons. For example, “carminic acid” which is nothing but extract from insects. Carminic acid does not give any indication of any animal extracts being used,” added Dr Jain.

The doctors are also trying to place ‘Ahimsak Chikitsa’ in medical practice. “The highest casualty of advances in medicine is the shift from the principal of absolute Ahimsa to commercially exploitable and unwarranted Hinsa under the pretext of better healthcare,” said Dr Jain.

However, FDA Assistant Commissioner M G Kekatpure said, “As such animal extracts are not directly used except for gelatin powder prescribed by Indian Pharacopia, a book published by the Government of India on the standards to be followed while manufacturing drugs.”

Gelatin is used on both soft and hard capsule shells as emulsifying agent, tablet binder and tablet coating. Apart from gelatin, Dr Jain claims there are other ingredients extracted from animals known to be present in the tablets like cholesterol, glycerin, tallow, cochineal — also called carminic acid.

“Among all the drugs obtained from animal sources, only a negligible number is therapeutically useful, that too by specialists in special circumstances. Animal-based preparations are associated with increased risk of adverse effects on the human body,” said Dr Jain.

Not just essential drugs, there are many energy tonics prescribed for general weakness that are derived from animals.

“WHO’s essential drugs list do not include such tonics prepared from specific organs like liver extracts, blood and proteins. They are only meant for commercial gain and exploitation of ignorant people. In absence of definite cure, people go in for such tonics,” said Dr Jain.

Dr Jain states that animal concern should not override in human health. If the drug is very much useful, it is to be proved scientifically and therapeutically, as in insulin for diabetes and hyaluronidase enzyme derived from animal testicles used in cataract operation which is highly useful.

“Doctors also should be more and more alert while writing prescriptions. It is the moral responsibility of every doctor to inform his patients, if the prescribed medicines have ingredients from animal extracts,” said Dr D V Kaundinya, associated with department of microbiology at JJ hospital and one of the non-Jain doctors who strongly backs this movement.