📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Manoj12kum
Health
Rajasthan's Annual Use of 57.87 Crore Acid-Reducing Capsules Raises Cancer Concerns
✍️ Bhaskar English
🗓 11 Nov 2026, 08:59 AM
👁 18
A study shows Rajasthan consumes 57.87 crore antacid tablets each year, with health officials warning that long‑term use could increase cancer risk and noting a ₹40 crore expenditure on these medicines.
Rajasthan's pharmaceutical market has recorded a staggering consumption of 57.87 crore antacid capsules in the past year, according to a recent health‑sector survey. The data, compiled by state health authorities, reflects the high prevalence of acidity-related ailments across the state.
Medical experts caution that prolonged intake of over‑the‑counter acid‑reducing tablets may be linked to an elevated risk of certain cancers, especially when used without proper medical supervision. Studies in the broader Indian context have highlighted a correlation between chronic antacid use and gastric malignancies.
The state health department estimates that around ₹40 crore is spent annually on these medications, a figure that underscores both the scale of consumption and the financial burden on households. Officials are urging physicians to promote lifestyle modifications and judicious prescription practices.
In response, the department plans to launch awareness campaigns focusing on dietary changes, stress management, and the risks of self‑medication. The aim is to curb unnecessary dependence on antacids while ensuring that patients with genuine medical needs continue to receive appropriate treatment.
Medical experts caution that prolonged intake of over‑the‑counter acid‑reducing tablets may be linked to an elevated risk of certain cancers, especially when used without proper medical supervision. Studies in the broader Indian context have highlighted a correlation between chronic antacid use and gastric malignancies.
The state health department estimates that around ₹40 crore is spent annually on these medications, a figure that underscores both the scale of consumption and the financial burden on households. Officials are urging physicians to promote lifestyle modifications and judicious prescription practices.
In response, the department plans to launch awareness campaigns focusing on dietary changes, stress management, and the risks of self‑medication. The aim is to curb unnecessary dependence on antacids while ensuring that patients with genuine medical needs continue to receive appropriate treatment.