Pharma company Lupin Ltd will discontinue its Rofecoxib formulation, a painkiller, following the government ban on the drug after evidence showed its prolonged use led to increased risk of heart attacks.
"In adherence to government guidelines, the company has decided to discontinue its rofecoxib formulation in India with immediate effect," Lupin informed the Bombay Stock Exchange on Friday.
Rofecoxib constitutes a small portion of the company's domestic revenues, it added.
On September 30, US-based Merck Inc, innovator of Rofecoxib, withdrew the drug due to risk of heart attack and stroke while Ranbaxy Laboratories discontinued it from October 13.
Rofecoxib, a new class of non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, has been in extensive use across the world.