Punjab health authorities have issued a public safety alert after a batch of Azomax 250mg capsules was declared fake and potentially unsafe for use following laboratory testing.

According to a notice issued by the Directorate of Drugs Control (DDC), Punjab, the affected medicine carries batch number H5332 and an expiry date of July 2027. The warning was issued after the product was recovered from an unauthorized individual involved in the illegal sale of medicines.

Officials said the original manufacturer examined the recovered capsules and confirmed that the batch was not produced through its authorized manufacturing process. As a result, concerns were raised about the product’s authenticity, quality and safety.

The Provincial Drug Testing Laboratory subsequently analyzed the medicine and classified it as a spurious drug under the Drugs Act, 1976. Following the findings, the Provincial Quality Control Board initiated regulatory action and directed authorities to strengthen monitoring efforts.

Drug regulators have instructed market authorization holders, importers and distributors to thoroughly review their supply chains and immediately report any suspicious stock or unauthorized distribution channels to the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).

Hospitals, pharmacies, wholesalers and medical distributors have also been ordered to stop dispensing the affected batch, isolate any remaining stock and provide inventory details to drug inspectors for further investigation.

Authorities warned that strict enforcement action will be taken against anyone found selling or distributing the counterfeit product.

The public has been strongly advised not to use Azomax 250mg capsules, batch H5332, and to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies and authorized medical stores to avoid health risks.