The Directorate of Drugs Control (DDC) Punjab has recalled several batches of four medicines from the provincial market after drug testing authorities declared them substandard, raising concerns about possible health risks for patients, the private media channel reported on Tuesday.
In a public notice, the DDC Punjab said the Drug Testing Laboratories in Punjab conducted tests on the medicines and found that they failed to meet quality standards. After this, the Provincial Quality Control Board ordered an immediate recall of the affected batches.
The recalled medicines include injectable water solutions and infusion drugs produced by pharmaceutical companies in Islamabad, Lahore, Bannu, and Multan.
According to the notice, the recalled products 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), and Infusion Brzole 100 mL (Metronidazole 500mg/100mL, Batch No. 25081, expiry October 2027).
Health authorities said three products failed the bacterial endotoxins test, while one infusion failed the visible particles test. Officials warned that these issues could create serious risks, especially for patients receiving injectable medicines in hospitals and clinics.
The authorities ordered manufacturers and market authorisation holders to immediately withdraw the affected batches from pharmacies, hospitals, medical stores, and distribution networks.
They also directed companies to submit complete distribution records, carry out investigations to find the cause of the issue, and prepare corrective and preventive action reports for the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
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