the Union ministry of health and family welfare has banned the manufacture and sale of eight drug combinations, as they have no therapeutic value or contain ingredients for which there are no justifications. Manufacturers have to restrict production of these eight combinations so that no stocks are available after December 31, 2001. This decision was taken after the Drugs Technical Advisory Board examined recommendations made by an expert committee instituted by the government to look into all drug combinations. Some top Indian companies such as Wockhardt, Nicholas Piramal, Cipla, Glaxo and Ranbaxy Laboratories have brands that fall in the banned category.