Punjab issues alert, recalls several substandard medicines from market
According to officials, the affected medicines failed quality tests conducted by Drug Testing Laboratories Punjab. Following the results, the Provincial Quality Control Board ordered the immediate withdrawal of these products from pharmacies, hospitals, and distribution networks across the province.
Medicines included in recall
The recall includes four injectable and infusion products manufactured by pharmaceutical companies based in different cities, including Islamabad, Lahore, Bannu, and Multan.
The recalled batches are:
- Water for Injection 10 mL (Batch No. B26413, expiry January 2030)
- Water for Injection 5 mL (Batch No. 20336, expiry October 2028)
- Infusion Promass 100 mL – Paracetamol 1g/100mL (Batch No. 042, expiry October 2027)
- Infusion Brzole 100 mL – Metronidazole 500mg/100mL (Batch No. 25081, expiry October 2027)
Officials said three of the products failed the Bacterial Endotoxins Test, while one infusion failed the Visible Particles Test. They warned that such quality issues could pose serious risks to patients, especially since these medicines are used in injectable form.
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Safety measures and investigation
Health authorities have instructed manufacturers and distributors to immediately recall all affected batches from the market. Companies have also been directed to submit full distribution records and carry out detailed investigations to identify the cause of the quality failures.
They further stated that corrective and preventive action reports must be submitted to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The DDC emphasized that patient safety remains the top priority and strict action will be taken against any negligence in pharmaceutical quality control.
