Fixed dose combinations (FDCs) refer to pharmaceutical preparations containing two or more drugs in a fixed
ratio. They were conceptualised on the idea that certain drugs potentiate the action of other drugs when given together.
FDCs have to be very rationally and carefully prescribed, after because
1. Patient may not actually need those many drugs, thus he is subjected to additional side effects.
2. Some drug doses have to be individualised based on patient’s response. You cannot do that if you are using FDCs.
3. Some companies have been selling FDCs in India under this pretext without consulting the Central government.
4. These non-essential FDCs thus do more harm than good by encouraging irrational and indiscriminate
prescribing of more drugs than needed.