Islamabad, 18 Apr 2025: Eight unsafe medicines have triggered an urgent Punjab ban following a safety alert issued by the Punjab Drug Regulatory Authority (PDRA).
The alert concerns the circulation of medical products including antibiotics and allergy treatments that have been deemed below standard, potentially endangering public health.
Laboratory Tests Reveal Critical Quality Issues
The Punjab Drug Testing Laboratory has verified that the mentioned pharmaceuticals are non-compliant with safety benchmarks, particularly the ASSA (Active Substance Sampling Analysis) standards.
READ MORE:
90% of Medicines in Local Market Made in Pakistan
Some samples were found to contain foreign materials, impurities, and signs of contamination, making them hazardous for patient use.
The flagged medicines were produced by pharmaceutical manufacturers located in Lahore and Rawalpindi, raising concerns over internal quality control protocols in these facilities.
List of Eight Unsafe Medicines
The following products have been highlighted for immediate withdrawal from the market:
- Neocobal Injection – Batch No. S-2455
- Meclomine Tablets – Batches 8440 and 8482
- Amekoran Injection – Batch BK-019
- Aqua-P Sterile Water – Batch 669
- Ortizin Tablets – Batch 241268
- Dorcip Antibiotic Drip – Batch DC-121
These drugs include three Methylcobalamin variants (tablets and injections), anti-allergic treatments, and antibiotic infusions, all found to be either adulterated or compromised in purity.
Punjab Ban Enforced on Unsafe Products
As part of the Punjab ban, pharmaceutical retailers, hospitals, and wholesalers have been instructed to suspend the sale and distribution of the affected items.
Pharmacies are required to report suspicious stock, while health officials monitor the market for any violations.
The PDRA has recommended immediate measures to intercept and quarantine these products to prevent them from reaching patients.
Rigorous inspections and enhanced monitoring are being carried out across Punjab’s pharmaceutical supply chain.
Public Health at Risk: DRAP Joins the Crackdown
On a broader scale, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has also launched a countrywide effort to eliminate fake, illegal, and unregistered medicines.
In Lahore, DRAP seized unregistered drugs like Urografin 76% Injection and Lipiodol Ultra Liquid, apprehending those involved and initiating formal legal proceedings.
READ MORE:
Essential Medicines Prices Jump 250%
DRAP further dismantled a manufacturing site responsible for unauthorized medical devices, sealing the facility and confiscating unregistered inventory.
Vigilance Urged Amid Rising Health Concerns
Health authorities stress the importance of consumer vigilance. Patients are encouraged to verify drug batch numbers and consult their healthcare providers before use.
The circulation of eight unsafe medicines poses a serious threat to treatment effectiveness and patient safety, reinforcing the urgency behind the Punjab ban and broader crackdown on pharmaceutical malpractice.
