The Directorate of Drugs Control Punjab has issued a “Most Urgent Medicine Recall Alert” for a specific batch of Erizine 10mg Tablets, a commonly used allergy medicine containing Cetirizine Dihydrochloride, after it was declared substandard during laboratory testing.
According to an official statement released on Tuesday, the Drug Testing Laboratory Punjab found the affected batch failed to meet quality standards. Following the findings, the Provincial Quality Control Board ordered its immediate withdrawal from the market.
The Directorate has instructed the product’s Marketing Authorisation Holder (MAH) to launch an immediate nationwide recall of the affected batch.
Pharmacies, medical stores, wholesalers, distributors, and healthcare facilities have been directed to stop selling or dispensing the recalled tablets with immediate effect. They have also been asked to submit details of their remaining stock and distribution records to the relevant Drug Inspector.
To prevent further circulation of the medicine, drug inspectors across Punjab have been ordered to intensify surveillance throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain and take action under the Drugs Act, 1976, DRAP Act, 2012, and other applicable regulations.
Authorities have also been instructed to ensure complete traceability of the recalled batch and submit a detailed compliance report to the Chief Drugs Controller, Punjab.
The Directorate has advised patients and consumers to stop using the affected batch immediately, warning that the substandard medicine could pose potential health risks.
Earlier, the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP) issued a nationwide rapid alert over counterfeit versions of well-known medicines used in the treatment of blood cancer.
The alert was issued after a warning from the World Health Organisation. DRAP immediately banned the sale and use of the affected batches.
According to DRAP and WHO, counterfeit versions of Darzalex injections and Jakavi tablets are being sold under the names of well-known pharmaceutical companies.
Laboratory tests found that the medicines did not meet quality standards and did not contain the active ingredients required for cancer treatment. Unrelated particles were also found in samples of the Darzalex injection.
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