ban

The direct application of electroshock in an attempt to treat mentally ailing patients would be shown a red signal. Only in an acute cases, where the patient does not respond to any treatment, and if the doctor deems necessary, it would be given under the “influence of anesthesia”.

What is ECT?
ECT is “a psychiatric treatment in which seizures are electrically induced in anesthetized patients for therapeutic effect." In 1938, the Italian psychiatrist, Ugo Cerletti introduced the concept of treating human beings with electroshock therapy.

The decision was taken after the expert panel appointed by DCGI revealed that the drug has potential to cause serious side effects such as heart attacks, strokes, and cardiac arrest among its users.

When contacted, a DCGI spokesman confirmed the news saying, “We have asked the Health Ministry to ban the drug completely from the market,” under section 26 A of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act."

He added, “We have suspended the import and manufacturing of the drug and its formulations with immediate effect.”