Aceclofenac

In News 

Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) has demanded a ban on using Aceclofenac in cattle after a new study showed that the drug is metabolized into diclofenac in water buffaloes — as it does in cows.

  • Diclofenac — an anti-inflammatory drug — was banned for veterinary use by the Government of India in 2006. 
    • It was found to be the main cause of a dramatic decline (99 percent) of the vulture population across Asia.

About Aceclofenac 

  • It is the prodrug of the non?steroidal anti?inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac, widely used to treat acute and chronic pain
  • It behaves similarly in domestic water buffalo as it does in domestic cattle, posing the same risk to vultures
  • Wildlife Institute of India, BNHS and IVRI had written to DGCI and the Union health ministry demanding a ban on aceclofenac, but no action has been taken so far.

Source:DTE