Authorities Ordered to Withdraw Seven Drug Batches Immediately

ISLAMABAD – In an effort to cleanse the drug market of counterfeit and substandard pharmaceuticals, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has launched a major crackdown. Authorities have been instructed to promptly remove seven batches of drugs from distributors, pharmacies, and hospitals.

According to a DRAP alert, the Directorate of Drugs Control (DDC) Punjab has identified several falsified drug products following analyses from Drug Testing Laboratories (DTLs). The affected products and their details are:

1. Ativan 2mg Tablets (Lorazepam, Batch #17C7019) – Purportedly manufactured by M/s Pfizer Pakistan, Karachi, found to be of spurious quality.
2. Marfix 400mg Tablets (Cefixime, Batch #MK-0002) – Manufactured by M/s Mirak Pharmaceutical, Lahore, identified as spurious.
3. Payodine 10g/100ml Solution (Povidone-Iodine, Batch #002709) – Produced by M/s AMannan Lab, Karachi, deemed spurious.
4. Froxime 400mg Capsules (Cefixime, Batch #FRX-400/C-6) – Produced by M/s Froxx Pharmaceuticals, Karachi, flagged as spurious and misbranded.
5. Noa-Xime 400mg Capsules (Cefixime, Batch #nx-00525-02) – Manufactured by M/s NoaHemis Pharmaceuticals, Karachi, identified as spurious and misbranded.
6. Biovim Injection (Benzyl Penicillin, Batch #500000 IU; Procaine Penicillin 1500000 IU) – Produced by M/s Uniline Pharma, Karachi, found to be spurious.
7. Novazone Plus Drench (Oxyclonazde 3% w/v, Levamisole HCl 1.5% w/v, Cobalt Sulphate 0.075%/v, Selenium Selenite 0.035%, Batch #061) – Manufactured by M/s Uniline Pharma, Karachi, classified as spurious.

These counterfeit or substandard drugs may contain harmful levels of toxic substances, posing a serious risk of widespread poisoning. They can undermine the efficacy of disease treatment and worsen existing medical conditions. The safety and quality of these falsified products are unknown.

The Regulatory Field Force has been directed to enhance surveillance throughout the supply chain, including healthcare facilities, to seize these products without delay. Pharmacists, chemists, and healthcare professionals should immediately check their stocks to halt the distribution of these products. Any information related to the suppliers should be reported to the Regulatory Field Force (DRAP, Provincial Health Departments, and State authorities) to ensure prompt removal.

Additionally, DRAP has issued a recall alert for 11 batches of substandard and adulterated pharmaceutical products. The alert includes the following products and their details:

1. Zyocain Gel 15g (Lidocaine HCL 2%, Batch #244275) – Produced by M/s Pharmawise Laboratories, Lahore, found to be substandard.
2. Metrorise Injection (Metronidazole 500mg/100ml, Batch #LV2303) – Manufactured by M/s Pak risen Pharmaceuticals, Hattar, identified as substandard.
3. Safemed Injection (Metronidazole 500mg/100ml, Batch #S-825) – Produced by M/s Ahad International Pharmaceutical Ltd., DI Khan, substandard.
4. Lyosafe Infusion (Levofloxacin, Batch #L-784) – Produced by M/s Ahad International Pharmaceutical Ltd., DI Khan, substandard.
5. Enzol-WFI Injection (Sterile Water for Injection, Batch #1240003) – Manufactured by M/s Enzon Pharma, Lahore, substandard.
6. Oxytofas Injection (Oxytocin, Batch #OTI-1419) – Produced by M/s Intervac (Pvt) Ltd., Sheikhupura, substandard and misbranded.
7. Painsa 75mg Injection (Diclofenac Sodium, Batch #PA420) – Produced by M/s Wimits Pharmaceuticals, Lahore, substandard.
8. Midoven Injection (Furosemide, Batch #H-21924) – Produced by M/s Venus Pharma, Lahore, adulterated.
9. Mencobal Injection (Mecobalamin, Batch #083084) – Produced by M/s Treat Pharmaceutical Industry, Lahore, adulterated.

Manufacturers have been instructed to immediately recall these defective batches from the market. All pharmacists and chemists should check their stocks, stop supplying these batches, quarantine the remaining stock, and return it to the supplier.