Government Initiates Crackdown on Counterfeit and Contaminated Drugs

ISLAMABAD: The government has launched a major crackdown on counterfeit and Contaminated drugs. The Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has issued a directive to halt the use of products identified as spurious by drug testing laboratories. This notice, released on Friday, applies to healthcare professionals including physicians, pharmacists, nurses, and procurement managers at hospitals and pharmacies, as well as the general public.

The Directorate of Drugs Control (DDC) Punjab has issued Alert No 137/2024, listing drug products declared as “spurious” by Drug Testing Laboratories (DTL) in Multan, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Faisalabad. The affected products are:

1. Nutricare Syrup 450ml – Used for treating and preventing anemia. Batch number NC-457. Produced by M/s Care Pharmaceuticals.
2. Velosef 500mg Capsule – Used for bacterial infections like skin, ear, respiratory, and urinary tract infections. Batch number 447M. Manufactured by M/s GSK, Karachi.
3. Pyodine Solution 60ml and 450ml – Used for treating or preventing skin infections in minor cuts, scrapes, or burns. Batch numbers 04813 and 08913. Manufactured by M/s Brookes Pharma, Karachi.
4. Tanzo 0.5g Injection – Treats pneumonia, skin, gynecological, and abdominal infections. Batch number PN220142. Manufactured by M/s Bosch Pharmaceuticals, Karachi.
5. Dygowin 10mg Tablet – Treats conditions caused by progesterone deficiencies like infertility, menstrual pain, PMS, endometriosis, and abnormal uterine bleeding. Batch number 736. Manufactured by M/s Weather Fold Pharmaceuticals, Hattar, Haripur District, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
6. Duphaston Tablet – Used for disorders related to the female reproductive cycle, including infertility and irregular menses. Batch number 230672 (Highnoon Laboratories, Lahore) and batch number 230092 (Abbott Laboratories, Karachi).
7. Cefspan 400mg Capsule – Treats bacterial infections of the ear, nose, or sinuses. Batch number D6780. Manufactured by M/s Barrett Hodgson Pakistan, Karachi.
8. Phenobarb 30mg Tablet – Treats and prevents epilepsy. Batch number QA023. Manufactured by M/s Star Laboratories, Lahore.
9. Powder Amox 500 (1kg) – Veterinary use. Imported by M/s Brand Station, Lahore. Batch number 0010823. Manufactured by M/s the North Star Import Export Joint Stock Company, Can Tho City, Vietnam.

The regulatory field force has been instructed to enhance surveillance across the supply chain and healthcare facilities to seize these products without delay. Pharmacists and healthcare professionals are urged to inspect their stocks and halt distribution immediately.

Suppliers of these products must report to DRAP, Provincial Health Departments, or State authorities to facilitate their removal. Consumers should cease using these products and consult their healthcare providers if they experience any adverse effects. All therapeutic goods should be obtained from licensed pharmacies or authorized retail outlets. Ensure the authenticity of products and seek professional advice if needed.