New Delhi, Feb. 27 -- The government body charged with setting quality standards for drugs has launched a review of the safety and efficacy norms for 13 commonly used but "very old" drugs and asked pharmaceutical companies to submit their manufacturing licence approval letters.

The Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC), part of the Drugs Controller General of India, said the letter should be issued by either the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) or a state licencing authority.

The Commission is set to incorporate new standards into Indian Pharmacopoeia-the handbook that lists efficacy and safety standards for all drugs produced in the country that companies have to follow.

The 13 drugs include Clindamycin Lotion used ...