On Tuesday, several drugs like antacids, Ranitidine, Atenolol, Erythromycin, and many more molecules were dropped from the National List of Essential Medicines (NLEM). However, an official source stated that the decision to drop these molecules was not taken due to side effects or concerns about cancer. He added that molecules like ranitidine, atenolol, erythromycin, etc. have been safe and efficacious for more than four decades, and several international studies have also shown that these molecules do not cause any side effects or cancer. He noted that these drugs were authentic, safe, and manufactured by large and small pharmaceutical companies.

He explained that the criteria for addition and deletion of any molecule in the NLEM depend on several parameters like cost vs MRP, life-saving quality, usage, etc. Dr. YK Gupta, Professor, Vice Chairman, Standing National Committee on Medicine and Healthcare Products, stated that recently there have been some concerns raised by the US FDA which are not established and proven. Hence, there is no cause for concern or panic at all. He added that since better options were available, some of the drugs were removed from the list, but the removal was due to cancer-causing effects, which is an incorrect statement. 

(Source: https://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/policy/its-misleading-to-say-drugs-dropped-from-nlem-due-to-side-effects-like-cancer-official-sources/94277803)