ISLAMABAD: During an ongoing crackdown, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) has banned eight batches of counterfeit and substandard medicines used for diabetes and life-saving treatments due to quality and efficacy concerns.
DRAP's crackdown across Punjab, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has resulted in the seizure of stocks of these counterfeit and substandard drugs.
The Central Drug Testing Lab in Karachi classified eight batches as substandard, including: Diabetes Tablet: Amplemet XR (Batch 39224), Antibiotic Injection: Esanix (Batch IA702), Drip Solution: Zesol Drip (Batch 2408207), Sterile Water for Injection: (Batch WI893), Bacterial Infection Medicine: Flagenis Suspension (Batch 0362), Anti-Allergy Syrup: Desora Syrup (Batch S23236), Vitamin B12 Infusions: Cyanoco Infusion (Batch 6609) and Cyanoco Super (Batch 6403).
These medicines, produced by companies in Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad, and Haripur, were found having unclear efficacy and posed potential risks to patient care.
DRAP has directed pharmaceutical firms to ensure the immediate removal of these batches from markets nationwide, calling for thorough investigations into the supply chain to curb the circulation of counterfeit drugs.